Dunkirk council OKs parking ordinance

DUNKIRK — City officials may get reserved on-street parking.

Dunkirk City Council on Monday approved an ordinance on a 4-1 vote to create “city official only” parking spaces on Commerce Street.

The ordinance that was originally brought up in November designates parking for city officials on the north side of Commerce Street, east of Main Street. The area would begin at the east end of the designated handicap parking and extend 40 feet along Commerce Street, according to the ordinance. The parking spaces would be reserved for city officials and employees from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

The lone vote against the ordinance came from council member Jesse Bivens.

“(It was) a total surprise, and I kind of wonder why we want to take parking spots away in a small downtown,” said Bivens. “They want the spaces next to the building instead of away from the building. So, I think our residents deserve access to the building.”

Since the ordinance wasn’t passed unanimously, it will have a second reading during council’s Dec. 27 meeting.

Also Monday, council members Bryan Jessup, Tom Johnson, Jack Robbins, Lisa Street and Bivens voted unanimously to make repairs at Dunkirk City Pool, including the $1,200 installation of a wrought iron fence and a $3,500 roof replacement for the park garage.

Also Monday, council:

•Was reminded the next council meeting will be at 7 p.m. Dec. 27.

•Was told the revitalization meeting will be pushed back to January in order to receive more feedback from a survey about the five-year downtown revitalization plan. The survey is available online at jotform.com/kimleyhorn/city-of-dunkirk.

•Heard the park board will meet at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday at Dunkirk Public Library.

•Approved the Trails 2024 plan presented to council during its Nov. 27 meeting. The plan calls for connecting Highland Avenue and Hoover Street through a multi-use trail near Speedcat Alley.

•Was told by Mayor Gene Ritter the city will collect old Christmas lights, coats, hats, gloves and scarves at the city building until January.

•Passed Resolution 2018-6, which allowed funds to be transferred to various accounts in order to balance them for the end of the year, city clerk Tina Elliott said. The transfers totaled $1,932.

•Heard a quote from Jessup, who wants to order new tires for one of the fire department’s oldest trucks. The first quote came in at $2,554; however, council members asked Jessup to get another quote before the Dec. 27 meeting.

•Approved claims totaling $134,779.77.