Common Council - Regular Meeting

Good afternoon everyone. I call this reorganizational meeting the Dunkerk Common Council to order. Madame Clerk, please call the role. Council member Lascoak here. Council member Zatski, Council Member Stoyle, Council Member Nichols, Council Member at large, Wiser here. Please rise for the pledge of allegiance. I pledge algiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the stand indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Thank you. Please remain standing for the national anthem performed by Myra Thomas.

Let's go. Oh, say can you see by the dawn's early light, what so proudly we held at the twilight last gleaming, whose broad stripes stripes and bright stars through the perilous fight. [singing] Or the reds [screaming] we watched were so gladly streaming. And the [screaming] rockets red glare. [screaming] The bombs bursting in air. Gave [screaming] proof through the night that our flag was still there. Oh, say does that star spangle [singing] B [screaming] way for the land of the free [screaming] and the home of the [screaming] brave.

[applause] Thank you, Miss Thomas. You can remain standing, please, for the invocation offered by Pastor Miriam Lugo Alfaro of Iglacsia Gatsmani.

Good afternoon. As he said, I'm a pastor Miriam Lugar and it's an honor to pray for the city of Dunkirk and those entrusted with leadership. Let's bow our heads. Heavenly Father, we come before you with gratitude and reverence. We acknowledge you as Lord over all and we thank you for the city of Dunkerk for its people, its family, its workers, and every neighborhood represented here today. Your word teaches us to pray for those in authority. So we lift up the leaders being inaugurated. Grant them wisdom beyond their own understanding, clarity in complex decisions, courage to do what is right and humility to serve with integrity. Let justice and mercy guide their leadership. Give them discernment to listen well, strengthen to stand firm under pressure and compassion for every resident, especially those who feel unheard and overlooked. Lord, we ask for unity in our community. Where there is tension, bring peace. Where there is uncertainty, bring steady hope. Where there are needs, public safety, education, jobs, housing, and the well-being for our youth and seniors. Give these leaders the grace to lead with purpose and the perseverance to follow through. We dedicate this moment and this season of service to you. guide every conver conversation in this building and let the dunker be blessed with wise counsel, honest work, and a spirit of copper cooperation. In the mighty name of Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen.

Amen.

Thank you, pastor. Please be seated. And at this time, I invite the honorable John M. Kudale to administer the oath of office. The incoming council members can step forward as well, please. Pursuant to New York state law, all elected officials are required to take a vote of office. Minister the oath to Councilman Nick Wiser, Councilwoman Natalie Lobiac, Councilman Frank Terrain, Councilman Gary Frederickson, and Councilman Michael Cileto. I would ask that you raise your right hands and repeat after me. I do solemnly swear

I doly swear that I will support the Constitution of the United States. I will support the Constitution of the United States and Constitution of the State of New York and the Constitution of the State of New York. And that I will faithfully discharge the duties of the office of council person. I faithfully discharge the duties of the office of council person according to the best of my ability. Thank you. Good luck to you.

I'd also call up the assessor Mson, if you would raise your right hand, repeat after me. I do solemnly swear I doly swear that I will support the Constitution of the United States I will support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of New York and the Constitution of the State of New York that I will faithfully discharge the duties of the office of assessor. I will faithfully discharge the duties of the office of according to the best of my ability. According to the best of my

Thank you, Judge Kale. At this time, the newly installed common council of the city of Dunkirk is called to order. Madame clerk, please call the role. Council member Lascoia, here. Council member Terrain here. Council member Frederickson here. Council member CileTo here. Council member at largeer here. Thank you clerk. [applause] [applause] Seeing no communications clerk please introduce the first pre-filed resolution.

Resolution 1-2026 resolution for appointment of city clerk treasurer. Is there any discussion? Council, seeing none, clerk, please call the role for the vote on resolution one of 2026. Council member Lasco, I. Council member Terrain, I. Council member Frederickson, I. Council member Cileto, I. Council member at largeiser. I. The resolution is hereby adopted. Resolution 2-2026. Resolution establishing payroll procedure. Any discussion, councel? Seeing none, clerk, please call the role. Council member Lascoak, I. Council member Terrain, I. Council member Frederickson, I. Council member CileTo,

I. Council member at Large Wiser, I. The resolution is hereby adopted. Resolution 3-2026. Resolution approving dates for January 2026 meetings. Any discussion? Council? Seeing none, cler, please call the role. Council member Lasco, I. Council member Terrain. Hi. Council member Frederickson. Hi. Council member CileTo. Hi. Council member at largeiser. I The resolution is adopted. Resolution 4-2026. Resolution establishing official depositories. Any discussion? Council. Seeing none, clerk, please call the role. Council member Lascoak. I. Council member Terrain. I. Council member Frederickson. I.

Council member Calto. I. Council member at [snorts] largeiser. I. The resolution is hereby adopted. Resolution 5-2026 resolution establishing cash management and investment policy. Any discussion? Councel. Seeing none, clerk, please call the role. [snorts] Council member Lascoiaak. I. Council member Terrain. I. Council member Frederickson. I. Council member Cibileto. I. Council member at largeer. I. The resolution is hereby adopted. Resolution 6-2026. Resolution authorizing designation of official city newspaper. Any discussion? Council. Seeing none, clerk, please call the role. Council member Lascoak. I. Council member Terrain.

I. Council member [snorts] Frederickson. I. Council member Caliletto. I. Council member at largeiser. I. The resolution is hereby adopted. Resolution 7-2026. Resolution authorizing designation of official cable TV station. Any discussion? Council. Seeing none, clerk, please call the role. Council member Lascoak. I. Council member Terrain. I. Council member Frederickson. I. Council member CileTo. I. Council member at Large Wiser. I. The resolution is hereby adopted. Resolution 8-2026. Resolution authorizing bond payment. Any discussion? Council.

Seeing none, clerk, please call the role. Council member Lascoiaak. I council member Terrain I council member Frederickson I council member Cileto I council member at largeiser I the resolution is hereby adopted resolution 9-2026 resolution authorizing designation of official radio station and internet news outlet any discussion council [snorts] seeing none clerk please call the role council member liaak I council member terrain I council member Frederickson I council member civil VTO. Hi. Council member at largeiser. I resolution is hereby adopted.

Resolution 10-2026. Resolution establishing standing committees. Any discussion? Council. I do have a question. Yes. Um I see that the community advisory committee is not listed as a standing committee. As I remember in the charter it is a standing committee I believe. I'm wondering if we can at least uh take a look at that. We should be able to prior to the next meeting. Okay, we can address it if we need. Thank you. Anything further, council? [snorts] Okay, seeing no further discussion, clerk, please call the role. Council member Lecoak, I. Council member Terrain, I. Council member Frederickson, I. Council member Ciletto, I. Council member at largeiser.

I. The resolution is hereby adopted. Resolution 11-2026. Resolution establishing rules of order of the common council. Any discussion? Council. Okay. Seeing none, clerk, please call the role. Council member Lasco. I. Council member Terrain. I. Council member Frederickson. I. Council member Caliletto. I. Council member at large Wiser. I. The resolution is hereby adopted. Okay. Moving on to new business. Clerk, please introduce local law number one of 2026.

Introduction to local law 1-2026. a local law providing the discontinuence and abandonment of a portion of Deer Street extension at the Save a Lot Plaza on Fourth Street, East 4th Street. Since this law requires a public hearing before the council can take action, we will need to schedule that hearing. I'd ask for a motion to table local law number one of 2026 to allow for a public hearing, which I propose we schedule for Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at 5:30 p.m. immediately preceding our next regular council meeting. So moved. Moved by Council Member Lusco, second by Councilman Frederickson. Clerk, please call the role. Council member Lysco, I. Council member Terrain, I.

Council member Frederickson, I. Council member CileTo, I. Council member Large Wiser,

I. Motion carried. Local law number one of 2026 has been tabled and a public hearing is scheduled for January 13, 2026 at 5:30 p.m. Council will consider the law following the conclusion of that hearing. Before we conclude today's meeting, I'd like to offer a few remarks. Today marks a new beginning for this council and I hope for our city. I want to start by congratulating each of my colleagues seated here today. You earned these seats because the people of Dunkerk saw in you something they trusted. Your experience, your judgment, your work ethic, your values, and your willingness to step forward at a moment when this job is not easy and the challenges before us are real. Our community has placed its faith in us to steward Dunkerk through a difficult chapter. We face a significant financial deficit, years of deferred decisions, and very real pressures on our services and our people. That reality is not lost on any of us. But neither is this. Dunkerk has endured before and it has always found a way forward when people were willing to work together with honesty, courage, and purpose. I am genuinely enthusiastic about serving with this council. Each of us brings a different perspective and a different skill set. And that diversity of thought is a strength if we choose to treat it as one. We will not always agree. We shouldn't. But we can commit to listening, to challenging one another respectfully, and to keeping our focus where it belongs, on the long-term health of this city and the people who call it home. Dunkerk is at an inflection point. The decisions we make in the months ahead will matter not just politically but practically. They will shape whether families feel confident staying here, whether businesses feel confident investing here, and whether our

residents feel their city government is worthy of their trust. I believe this council has both the responsibility and the opportunity to take bold, thoughtful action, not for headlines, not for credit, but for lasting positive change. If we lead with integrity, collaboration, and a shared sense of purpose, there's every reason to believe that Dunkerk's best days are still ahead. I'm grateful for the opportunity to serve alongside you, and I'm hopeful, truly hopeful for what we can accomplish together. Thank you. [applause]

I understand uh Councilman Terrain has something he'd like to offer at this time. I uh when uh after the election, a colleague of mine uh pastor from D from uh Buffalo wrote a poem and he put it to music and when I listened to it, it echoes everything that Councilman Large Fiser has said and everything that I believe about the city of Dunkerk and I would like to play it for you. [bell] [music]

Dunkerk will never be the same. For growth now burns like a steady flame. His [music] people stood when storms grew strong and turned their trials into triumph. [music] FROM LESSONS LEARNED in every test, they chose to give their very best. With faithful hands and hearts that care, they build you hope from wear and tear. [music]

The city rise is bold and bright. Its [music] future glowing day and night. But when its citizens [music and singing] stand as one, a greater dunker has begun. Dunker rising, [music] shining bright. Stronger hearts [music] of greater lighting, [music] shining bright. [singing] Stronger hearts are greater alive. Dunkerk will never be the same. [music] For progress moves like a sacred flame. [music] Its people stood through trial and rain and turned their burdens into gain. From lessons learned through joy and tears, they forged their courage over years. With unity that won't divide, they built a future full of pride. Streets once quiet [music] now breathing a new as hope streams [music] and brighter few. For when it citizens stand as one, the work [music] is mighty. The best begun. Walker rising shining [music and singing] bright. Stronger hearts are great light. The world rising, [music] shining bright. Stronger hearts are great life. [music]

[music] [music] Shining bright stronger hearts are GREATER RISING. [music] Shining bright strong hearts are great light. Rising shining [music] bright. Stronger hearts are great alive. [music] [singing] rising, shining bright, stronger hearts, a greater light.

That was beautiful. [applause] Thank you, Councilman Terrain. At this time, I ask everyone to please rise for God Bless America, performed by Myra Thomas. God bless America, land that I [singing] love. Stand beside her and guide her through the night with the light from above. From the mountains to the prairies to the ocean, Whitewood Farm. God bless America, my home sweet home. [screaming] God bless America, my home sweet home. [singing] [applause] Thank you, Miss Thomas. Please remain standing for the benediction offered by Pastor Lugo Alaro. Let's bow our heads. Gracious the eternal God, as we conclude this ceremony, we thank you for the opportunity to gather in peace and with hope for the future. We commit these leaders and their service into your hands. Go before them, Lord. Protect them and their families. Surround them with the wise counsel and faithful partners in the work. Give them patience for the process, steadiess under criticism, and grace to lead in a way that builds trust. Let their decisions

promote fairness, safety, and opportunities for all who call Dunkerk home. We pray for blessings over every department, every employee, every first responder, every educator, and every citizen. Let this city be strengthened economically, socially, and spiritually. Let righteousness and truth guide our community, and let peace rest upon our streets and our homes. Now, as we leave this place, keep us mindful that the work of building a strong city belongs to all of us. Help us to serve our neighbors, honor one another, and pursue the common good. We give you the glory and the honor in Jesus' name. Amen.

Amen. Amen. Thank you. You may be seated. Ladies and gentlemen, on behalf of myself and the other members of the common council, we'd like to thank you for being here today. We wish wish you all a very happy new year. The inaugural reception will be held at the Dunkerk Elks Lodge, 428 Central Avenue here in Dunkerk. And we do hope you'll join us. Now, there being no further business before the common council, I will entertain a motion to adjurnn. Moved by Councilman T and seconded by Council Member Lusco. Clerk, please call the RO. Council member Lgoiaak. Hi. Council member Terrain. Hi. Council member Frederickson. Hi. Council member Cileto. Hi. Council member at large wiser. Hi, the meeting is ajourned. Thank you everyone.