Permission for projects

DUNKIRK — The city looked to get a jump of several projects Monday.

In its first meeting of 2025, Dunkirk City Council agreed to move forward with plans for a new apartment development and an effort to seek grant funding for a water line project.

It also agreed to advertise a proposed update to the city’s water ordinance for a public hearing at its next meeting.

Dunkirk Mayor Jack Robbins said he has been in contact with two developers regarding almost 10 acres of land now owned by Dunkirk Industrial Development Corporation on the south side of the city. He said the developers estimated 32 to 36 apartments could be constructed on the site, which is east of Family Dollar.

Council members Jesse Bivens, Christy Curts, Dan Watson, Donna Revolt and Randy Murphy voted unanimously to authorize Robbins to continue talking with contractors regarding plans and cost estimates for such a project.

Robbins also asked council for permission to continue gathering information about a potential project to loop water lines. He explained that several dead-end water lines result in rusty water and that a master plan approved in 2019 called for looping lines on Hickory and Elm streets as well as Blackford Avenue.

He noted that with the city’s grant for its recent water detention project close, it is now eligible to apply for new funding. He told council such a grant would require a 20% match from the city.

Council members voted unanimously for Robbins to move forward with the process of choosing a grant writer and getting estimates for the project.

They also gave city attorney Wes Schemenaur the go-ahead to advertise proposed updates to the water ordinance that include the following:

•Adding a $20 fee for those who fail to meet for a scheduled appointment with water department staff

•Instituting a meter antennae replacement of $8 for those that are lost or damaged.

•Increasing the after-hours service call fee to $50 from the current $35

•Creating a $100 tampering fee in addition to the cost of repairs and any water usage for anyone who accesses water pits without authorization.

•Adding a temporary user fee of $50 plus the cost of water

•Changing to a $50 disconnection fee for late payment

Council will hold a public hearing on the changes at its Jan. 27 meeting.

Bivens also presented the council with a copy of the fire hydrant use agreement, which includes a $135 fee plus the current rate for water. It indicates liability for any damage and sets out other requirements for users.

Council also agreed to be the petitioner for vacating an alley that runs between Hoover and Indiana streets north of High Street. The alley was thought to have been vacated decades ago but there are no records indicating such in the county recorder’s office.

In other business, the council:

•Re-elected Bivens as council president.

•After a brief discussion, agreed to pay out 444 hours of unused vacation time form 2024 totaling $11,147.88. Clerk-treasurer Kara Lowe said the request should have been made before the end of the year to allow 2024 funds to be used and suggested that such a payout should be capped at 80 hours, similar to what other departments receive for holidays. Robbins pushed for paying out the unused days, noting that the police department is not comparable to others because it is staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Council unanimously approved paying out the unused overtime hours but agreed that any such future requests should be made before the end of each year.

•Heard from Robbins that equipment to allow for the live-streaming of meetings is ready to be installed. (Live-streaming will be required by state law beginning July 1.)

•Approved the following: payment of $19,900 for work on two well pumps the city is working to put back into service; a $200 sponsorship for West Jay Community Center; and payment of $335,801.56 in claims.

•Heard a question from Revolt regarding contractors that have put in outdoor pickleball courts. Schemenaur pointed her to Portland Park Board president Brian Ison, noting that pickleball courts were installed at Milton Miller Park last year.