Dunkirk approves ordinance updates

DUNKIRK — Three city ordinances have been updated.

Dunkirk City Council amended a trio of ordinances Monday regarding parking, city employee policies and fair housing.

Council updated its zoning ordinances to allow for marked zones for pick up and drop off in front of the Glass Museum. The zones allow for 15-minute parking to load and unload, said city attorney Wes Schemenaur.

Another ordinance update commits the city to being an Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs compliant drug free workplace for its employees.

Language establishing a drug-free workplace was already included in the city’s personnel policy.

“I don’t think there are any major differences at all,” Schemenaur said. “This is basically saying that you’re not going to have employees using alcohol or drugs on the job and you will have safe work conditions for employees.”

The other change expands on the city’s fair housing ordinance, making it more extensive. The updates, Schemenaur said, will ensure no one renting, buying or selling a house is discriminated against.

It also creates a method through which the city can take administrative action if there is a complaint of discrimination.

In addition to the ordinances, council allocated $12,864 to R & R Visual for its camera and cleaning work in the city’s storm lines. Council member Jesse Bivens said 4,566 feet of storm line was video taped and 4,710 feet was cleaned.

Tom Johnson, the council member who oversees the parks department, reported that a valve has been fixed and repainting is complete at Dunkirk City Pool. He said the pool is up and running, though there are still major leaks that will need to be fixed in the future.

Council also recognized Dunkirk Police Department’s newest addition, Tanner Hazelton, who began work June 20.