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New meeting, no changes in union pact

The Dunkirk Common Council will have old business and new business to attend to at tonight’s meeting.

For a second time on the agenda will be Resolution 101 on the agreement with the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees AFL-CIO Local 912. This resolution was tabled at the last meeting due to some financial concerns.

Mayor Willie Rosas previously explained council’s concerns stem from possible cash flow issues due to reimbursed sick time if too many employees take advantage of the proposed retirement incentive. Despite not being directly related to the agreement proposal, Rosas said he would go back to the negotiating table to try to address some of council’s concerns.

“I did reach out to the union and we talked, but they have not agreed to any proposed changes in the contract language,” Rosas explained Monday. “If council decides to vote on this, it has not changed. I don’t know if it will pass, … but it is in their hands.”

Rosas previously described the contract as a “win-win” for the city and the 61 streets, parks, sewer, water and clerical employees Local 912 represents. The last contract for Local 912 expired at the end of 2011.

Also making a second appearance, Resolution 97 to adopt the 2017 budget with council’s changes will be up for a vote. Prior to the regular meeting’s start at 5:30 p.m., a public hearing on the budget will be held at 5:20 p.m., both at city hall.

Similarly, Resolutions 107 to approve the 2017 appropriations for the general, water and wastewater funds and 108 to approve the 2017 tax warrant at a levy of $4,871,870, tax rate of $17.25 per thousand of assessed value and a total budget of $282,468,370 will be up for votes.

New business includes approval of a site plan for Rookies at 19 Lake Shore Drive E., which is part of the Harborfront-1 district under Chapter 79 of the city code. Rosas said the zoning and planning boards support the plans to improve the business through a kitchen expansion and an addition of bowling alleys.

The city will also renew its agreement with the Chautauqua County Fair Association for use of the rec center if Resolution 109 is approved. The city leases the space for three months a year at the cost of rent and utilities. This time, the three-year agreement will give the city a discount on rent in exchange for in-kind services to upgrade the insulation, lighting and heating.

Other resolutions include agreements for services from Langford Testing and Consulting for Department of Transportation-required drug testing, Bahgat & Laurito-Bahgat CPA, P.C. for bookkeeping at a rate of $110 per hour not to exceed last year’s billing and Dresher and Malecki LLP for five years of auditing at a cost of $35,026 and increasing about $600 each year.

Rosas also appointed Steve Helwig to the zoning board.

The Western New York Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association has requested permission and assistance with its Walk to End Alzheimer’s event Sept. 9, 2017.

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