OBSERVER City Editor
Washington Park will be the setting as the Dunkirk Common Council meets for its first August session today.
Council will face an agenda that has six communications from the public, two loudspeaker applications, one resolution under old business and one pre-filed resolution. Council is also expected to act on the walk-in resolution concerning the city's water treatment system that was discussed during a Finance Committee meeting held Wednesday.
The walk-in resolution would, if presented as proposed at the Finance Committee meeting, transfer $4,509 from the 2008 CDBG demolition and acquisition account and another $30,950 from the 2009 CDBG demolition and acquisition account. That would leave some $39,000 left in the 2009 demolition and acquisition account.
The money is being transferred to help pay for some $85,500 in repairs to the city's water treatment system that need to be completed before the weather gets too rough. The remaining $50,000 would be borrowed from the city's general fund and be repaid within six months if a grant from Assemblyman Bill Parment comes through as promised.
Under old business council will consider removing Resolution 42-2009, which would transfer 51 property parcels in the city from the city to the Dunkirk Local Development Corporation, from the table. The resolution was tabled July 7 to allow for a public hearing as required and remained on the table after the hearing on July 21.
The resolution will likely be left to die on the table and be replaced by two resolutions that will be more specific and clarify issues about the proposed transfer that were brought up at the public hearing.
The pre-filed resolution, 47-2009, would authorize Mayor Richard Frey to sign necessary documents to make Guardian Dental the administrator of the city's dental benefit plan. According to the second whereas, "Guardian's policy in regard to the prepayment of claims, as opposed to the current Meritain account system, would free up city budget dollars until they are actually needed."
The change would also, according to the resolution, "provide a savings to the city's employees at no additional cost to the city."
Up first under communications is a letter from city resident Michael Rosing requesting a member of council sponsor a resolution ordering the mayor and the Department of Public Works to restripe the parking spaces on the east side of Central Avenue from the Boardwalk Market to the city pier.
Next is a letter from Citizens Advisory Committee Corresponding Secretary Danny McGill. McGill writes on behalf of the CAC concerning the railroad monument that used to be located on the east side of Main Street near the former M & T Bank. The CAC wants the monument that it claims is owned by the Historical Society to be returned to its original location. Cliffstar now owns the property and according to the letter, is OK with replacing the monument on its property.
Mark Timmerman, a coach for the Dunkirk Midget Football Team, writes to request the use of six city street locations for the team's annual Tag Day fundraiser on Aug. 8 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., with a rain date of Aug. 15.
A notice of claim from Michael Fioretto Jr., 3084 Middle Road, is next. Fioretto is claiming $91 in damages to a tire that was caused by a drain on Green Street on July 12.
The Beach House Grill is looking to hold a summer send-off party from Sept. 18-20, according to a letter from owner/operator John Dolce. Dolce said the event is, "our way of thanking the community for their support and providing a good time for Dunkirk and the surrounding cities and towns."
First Ward Falcon Club Recording Secretary Tom Mleczko wrote to request, on behalf of the club, the closing of South Serval Street between Lake Shore Drive E. and Chestnut Street from 5 p.m. to midnight on Sept. 5 and 6 for the club's Annual Labor Day Street Dance.
Both the Beach House Grill and the First Ward Falcon Club have filed loudspeaker applications for their events, but neither have been signed off by the appropriate department heads.
Council's workshop session is set for 5:30 p.m. with the regular meeting scheduled to start at 6 p.m. In the event of inclement weather the meeting will be held in City Hall.
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