Mural complete, projects planned

DUNKIRK — A project to spruce up the outside of the city building is complete.

More upgrades to the facility are on the way.

Dunkirk City Council heard updates Monday regarding various projects completed and pending for the city building.

Mayor Jack Robbins reported that the mural, painted by artist Pam Bliss, on the Commerce Street side of the city building is complete. It features three former Dunkirk schools and the Dunkirk Speedcats logo.

He also told council members Jesse Bivens, Christy Curts, Dan Watson and Donna Revolt, absent Randy Murphy, that Jerry Brooks will begin painting the interior of the building will begin Thursday. The work will progress room by room and the facility will stay open during the work.

Robbins also noted that:

•He expects to get a quote from Green Construction for a new front door for the city building.

•City officials met with an information technology professional regarding installing cameras and microphones in the council chambers. He said plans are to get at least two quotes for the work. (State law requires that government meetings be livestreamed and recorded beginning July 1, 2025.)

•He plans to seek quotes for new carpet for the city building.

Council members also unanimously approved a series of expenditures related to the water department. They were:

•$20,747 to Peerless Midwest of Mishawaka to rebuild a high-service pump

•$19,959.65 to Culy Contracting of Winchester for already completed repairs related to a water main break at the corner of North and Meridian streets

•$4,180 for Culy to replace a fire hydrant near West Jay Elementary School

•$3,130 to 4TC of Portland to replace all of the lights on the plant’s warning system operation panel with LEDs.

The council also gave initial approval to increasing trash pick-up rates to $15 per month, effective Aug. 1, from the current $12.58. That represents a 19.3% increase.

Clerk-treasurer Kara Lowe explained that the city has been losing money each year on trash pick-up. It currently charges customers the same rate-per-customer it receives from Best Way (Modoc) for the service. However, the contracted rates are based on 1,000 users. The city has fewer users, usually between 950 and 970, resulting in the deficit.

The rate increase will need to be formally approved via an ordinance before it can go into effect.

Also approved Monday were fire protection contracts with 3% increases for Knox, Jackson and Richland townships in Jay County and Niles Township in Delaware County. The fees to those townships will be $1,844.80, $3,566.74, $6,365 and $2,674.52, respectively.

In other business, council:

•Heard a reminder from Curts that Independence Day fireworks are scheduled for dusk Saturday. It will also be a free day at Dunkirk City pool, and there will be softball games after the fireworks.

•Approved a compliance form for the SDP tax abatement that was approved in 2017 and payment of claims totaling $226,604.46.

•OK’d three transfers from a payroll clearing fund back to city departments totaling $72,042.61, $65,553.90 and $61,026.40. Clerk-treasurer Kara Lowe explained that the fund should zero out and is not meant to carry a balance.

•Briefly discussed what fund is appropriate for money that comes in via road cut permits. For now, the money will stay in the general fund. Lowe was asked to consult with the state board of accounts as to whether there is a non-reverting fund that would be appropriate to allow the money to build up for future street repairs.

•Heard a reminder from city attorney Wes Schemenaur regarding a meeting scheduled for 6 p.m. Wednesday at Jay County Courthouse for discussion about a new countywide radio system. County commissioners and council heard a report last week regarding coverage gaps in the county and recommendations for a new system that could service all local first responders and provide coverage throughout the county.

•Tabled discussion of when to hold trick-or-treating in the fall following a question from Sandy Rodgers. The council plans to seek input from community groups and address the question at its July 1 meeting.