Dunkirk Common Council will be busy tonight with an agenda that includes seven pre-filed resolutions - and a likely visit from animal lovers. The news that city Animal Control Officer Steve Purol was caught allegedly putting dead dogs in a private dumpster will likely bring at least one group to the meeting, the OBSERVER has learned from a member of the Lakeshore Humane Society.
Purol was hired as an independent contractor in June 2010 when council took over the duty of supervising the ACO, as called for in Chapter 25 of the City Code. He has been rehired for one-year contracts in June of both 2011 and 2012.
Council allows for comments from the public during its privilege of the floor portion, which is prior to other business except for approval of minutes from prior meetings. The meeting is scheduled to begin at 5:30 p.m. Council's finance committee is set to meet at 5 p.m. and both meetings are in City Hall.
Council is set to move along a potential harborfront project under Resolution 81-2012.
An agreement between the city and SUNY Fredonia to partner on a SUNY 20/20 Grant submission is covered under 81-2012. The resolution is needed to show the city's support for SUNY Fredonia's grant application for a Lake Erie Research Station that would be located in the city's harborfront between the Clarion Hotel and Tim Hortons.
The city and SUNY Fredonia would be working with the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation and the United States Fish & Wildlife Service on the project, a continuation of the city and college's partnering on projects.
Resolution 77-2012 will extend an agreement between the city and Mid American Natural Resources, L.L.C. of Erie for the city's natural gas needs. The city and Mid American first entered into the agreement in 2008 and it has been extended twice, both times with price reductions. The new agreement would run from Nov. 1 to Oct. 31, 2014 and hold the previous price reduction.
The city will sell a triangular-shaped parcel of land at the northwest corner of Talcott Street and Franklin Avenue (107 Franklin Ave.) to the state's Department of Transportation under 78-2012. The DOT would pay $1,700 under an "offer of settlement" for the parcel, which will be used as part of the Millennium Parkway Project. That project will result in the rebuilding of Talcott Street in the city.
Council will authorize the sale at public auction of a 1975 Ward LaFrance Pumper under 79-2012. The resolution states that council declares the pumper as surplus equipment based on the recommendation of Fire Chief Keith Ahlstrom.
Based on the recommendation of Public Works Director Tony Gugino council will extend the existing agreement for elevator maintenance with D.C.B. Elevator Company, Inc. of Lewiston under 80-2012. The city and D.C.B. will continue under the original bid specifications with two adjustments. The resolution would add the allowable 0.58 percent pricing increase in accordance with price adjustment clauses in the state's Office of General Services mini bid, raising the monthly fee from $900 to $905.22. Out-of-contract repair labor rates will also be revised to reflect current state Department of Labor wage rates.
Council will change the date of its first November meeting under 82-2012. The meeting will be moved up from election day on Nov. 6 to Monday, Nov. 5.
Halloween trick or treat hours for this year will be set by Resolution 83-2012. Trick-or-treaters will be allowed to go house to house from 4 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 31.
Dunkirk High School Principal Stephen O'Brien provided the only pre-filed communication. O'Brien wrote to request the presence of three police officers for the Homecoming Dance at the high school on Saturday from 7:45 to 11:15 p.m.
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