Stacey Bush

The meeting agenda included several key actions. The Mayor announced an appointment to the Visual and Performing Arts Board. Correspondence included referral of the Traffic and Safety Advisory Board's February minutes and the Zoning Board of Appeals' January minutes to the Committee of the Whole. Resolutions addressed several items: allowing bills as audited, conducting a direct sale of approximately 1100 square feet of city property to Daniel Benoit (Prescott Provisions owner) for $2500.00, awarding design and bid amendment 1 for the Main Pump Station Emergency Generator Replacement project to GHD Consulting Services, Inc., authorizing the City Treasurer to pay expenses for In Rem 14 and In Rem 15 proceedings, and authorizing the Mayor to sign agreements with National Hose Company #1, Delaware Hose Company #2, Niagara Hose Company #3, and Union Hook & Ladder Company #1, each involving a $7500 account set up by the City Treasurer. Additionally, the Council authorized an increase in the Department of Public Works Superintendent's salary retroactively to January 2, 2026, and established Standard Work Days for Elected and Appointed Officials for reporting to the retirement system. The Council also formally dedicated the Gibson Street extension per a specified legal description, rescinding the prior resolution regarding the James Street dedication. The meeting included an Executive Session for pending exempt City business, followed by adjournment.

The meeting included the approval of applications for Fire Chief and Assistant Fire Chief positions. Key correspondence involved determining the future status of the Treasurer position title with legal counsel. Administrative updates covered extending the response time for canvass letters from four to ten business days and discussing job titles for the NY HELPS program. Scheduled exams included the Firefighter exam on January 10, 2026, and the Fire Chief/Assistant Fire Chief and Police Chief exams scheduled for February 2026. The commission reviewed numerous salary changes (SAL) and status actions (RET, AT, TERM) affecting Police, City, DPW, BOE, and REC departments, including retirements for several Police Captains and Officers, and salary adjustments for various municipal roles.

The meeting, which included the call to order and attendance confirmation, featured significant discussion regarding the annual Canal Fest event. Key topics included the financial performance, which was noted to be down between 35% and 40% compared to the previous year, partially attributed to shortening the event duration to six days. The primary request was to revert to an eight-day event and return the carnival rides to the City of Tonawanda, as North Tonawanda reportedly will not allow rides on their streets due to safety concerns and impact on merchants. There was extensive debate concerning the financial allocation between Tonawanda and North Tonawanda regarding the rides, including historical contract details and expenses related to security and the parade/fireworks budget. Other points touched upon included the cancellation of the Secret Cup event and discussions about future partnership strategies between the two cities to ensure the event's success and benefit the nonprofits.

The discussion focused primarily on the appointment and compensation structure for the City Attorney and Deputy City Attorney positions. Key points included clarifying the required minimum annual salary for the Deputy City Attorney based on the previous City Attorney's salary ($69,000 or potentially lower if calculated hourly) versus the proposed salary of $105,000 for the City Attorney, alongside health insurance costs. The board debated the interpretation of charter requirements regarding salary setting for salaried employees versus hourly rates for per diem appointments, particularly concerning coverage for vacations and Friday prosecution duties. There was also a brief discussion regarding the salary for a Deputy City Clerk position, focusing on budgetary allocations for raises and training stipends.

The Common Council meeting included discussions and decisions on several items. Discussions included clarification on utility bills, specifically the high monthly demand charge for electricity, and matters concerning gift cards for a holiday decorating contest. A significant portion of the meeting addressed correcting issues related to late fees on bills, leading to a proposal for an approved vendor list for pre-authorized payments to avoid future issues. The council discussed and passed amendments to the overnight docking fee schedule for the Tanowanda's Gateway Harbor facilities, adjusting rates based on boat size and the availability of electric and water service. A lease agreement for operating a seasonal restaurant facility in Naiwanda Park was reviewed, where concerns about utility costs and the requirement for the tenant to provide a certificate of insurance prior to operation were addressed. The resolution for a handicap sign application for a child with a disability was discussed, confirming compliance procedures and certification requirements which do not violate HIPPA. Finally, resolutions authorizing the Mayor to sign agreements with various hose companies (National Hose, Delaw Hose, Niger Hose, and Union Hook and Ladder) were introduced. The resolution concerning National Hose was tabled pending the receipt of a final written report from the police department regarding an investigation where cooperation ceased. Resolutions concerning Delaware Hose involved a discussion about the required $7,500 setup in the account and expenditure approval process, questioning a change from previous accountability discussions.