In depth with Mayor Austin Tylec

Jamie and Evan greeted me in the Mayoral suite. Same office, different decade, whether Arthur Pappas, Larry Soos, Dave Burgio, Mary Kabasakalian or Ron Dawson, (I never met Mayor Ortt but ort is a useful crossword term pertaining to a scrap of food. I learned it from Dennis Pasiak). Not much changes other than the people. You can still get a Nitemare at Galassi’s. An outer office with two desks and an inner office with a round table and a desk.

Some of the quotes in this story will be verbatim. Most of it is paraphrased. The goal is to reflect the sentiment, and views of the subject, and to keep it readable.

Suggestions for who else the Express should speak to as part of this series are welcome. North Tonawanda subjects who come to mind immediately are Joe Armenia Sr., Larry Soos, Paul Brown and Rae Proefrock. I wish Charlie Hewitt was still alive. On to the interview.

What did you learn as council member at large that helped you in your first term as mayor?

I learned what not to do. It was difficult. I tried to propose things and learn how to navigate the political landscape.

When you ran for reelection, Henry Wojtaszek was rumored to be running. Then they landed on Tom Krantz as a candidate. If Henry ran, would the outcome be the same.
Small potatoes. Henry is a behind the scenes guy.

Was it your popularity or Trump backlash that led to a 4-1 majority in the last election. With so many rookies, how can you get anything done?

They are great. Working on projects and being collaborative.

How do you feel about the county legislature?

The city sends $13 million a year to the county and gets very little in return. There are no county roads. No Sheriff patrols? “What does the city get back?” County legislators get $25,000 per year plus health care for attending 10 meetings.

What about city attorney Ed Zebulske?

He makes $50,000 per year to work 3 hours a week and because Zebulske is attorney, the city has to hire an outside prosecutor to handle traffic court. He is in Aruba right now.

A constituent told me you ran promising not to raise taxes and then you did. Why?

“We didn’t do 25% like Buffalo.” When Tylec took over as mayor, the city had depleted $7 million in reserves to have just $300,000. The city was falling short every year at tax time and floating a short term bond to make ends meet. It took between 9 and 12 months to get that straightened out. The first task was to get the city’s bond counsel to not reduce its rating. Reserves are now at about $4 million and the bond rating has been increased to A-2.

What was the key to getting a big investment to replace Memorial Pool?

We did a study in 2017/18 on whether it would be better to fix or build new. The public said a new pool would be better. It is a 3 year plus project. The end cost, mostly grant funded. Tylec credits the city employing a different grant-seeking strategy. The money breakdown is $750,000 from State Parks, $4.1 million from National Parks, $4 million in state funding secured by Assemblyman William Conrad and the final $1.1 million in place but not yet announced.

How does your grant process work?

The city was paying an average of $2,000 monthly without a lot of success. Rather than continuing on that path, the city retained C&S Companies as a sort of one stop shop for grants with multiple services under one roof. An investment of about $65,000 has brought a return of $11 million.

What are 3 things about North Tonawanda that people from Niagara Falls should know?

1. We have a thriving downtown.
2. There are more parks than we know what to do with.
3. The housing market is very affordable.

15 years ago, Webster Street had a vibrant community. Lou’s was still open. So was Nestor’s. There were at least 3 art galleries and the frame shop. The stained glass shop is open, and Walker Brothers but the evolution of the Riviera has robbed Webster Street of its gritty charm. Is that a good thing or a bad one?

You can still get a reasonably priced cup of coffee or some dessert. The growth and energy is undeniable. It is really about supply and demand and elevated energy. People are still able to find a way. The Riviera is the anchor. People question how often the mayor shows up for ribbon cuttings but the truth is, all that investment has elevated sales tax revenue. Even the legal cannabis shop, Elevated Minds has found a niche and generated about $100,000 in sales tax revenue.

Is the bitcoin mine still an issue? When does it become your fault?

Neighbors have filed a class action lawsuit against the operator. An attempt Tylec led before the facility even opened, to create a moratorium and put common sense zoning in place failed. The whole point was to give it time. The city is now working with the operator to control the noise. Water cooling for the processors will hopefully reduce the noise but the reality is it was too little, too late.

Tell me about new development

NT is approaching 300 new housing units when you combine what’s already been built and what is to come. Big new projects include a major mixed-use development underway on Tonawanda Island on the contaminated northern end as well as new construction planned at Main and River Road on the site of the former Metzger Removal. A different development was in discussions for that site before the current plans came forth. People Inc. is developing affordable housing in the DeGraff Hospital tower.

The city also has dedicated $500,000 to affordable housing using Community Development Block Grant Funding.

Why move Canal Fest? Is it really Canal Fest when it is on the river? Between Sweeney, Webster and adjacent streets wasn’t there enough space to keep if downtown?

“People are up in arms but it is a non-profit committee that operates Canal Fest” Tylec said. “Tonawanda wanted to further reduce the amount of rides and limit space. We are happy to make whatever work.” Tylec said there is a chance Canal Fest could move back downtown but it is up to the committee not the city.

I know your dad had to be an inspiration as a county legislator, but talk to me about your mom’s role in your political career.

“Gail is quite a force and a motivator for myself and my two siblings” Tylec said. She is tough but fair, not political but an active organizer.” Tylec said. Gail was responsible for coordinating 100s of volunteers. Meanwhile, John was a wealth of information when Austin first started helping him learn how to navigate and write a resolution. “I was more or less pushed out of the nest.”

You are a licensed architect and being mayor only pays $64,000 a year. Why do it?

Tylec admitted a comparable position should pay $100,000 per year or more and he’s had offers for significantly more. He likes making a difference for his city. “People say all of the time ‘we don’t pay you enough’ but if you want a bigger pool sometimes there are sacrifices in a serious way.”

What’s next?

“I don’t know,” he said. “I had no plans to get into politics and then I thought why not on the council. Then I saw the mayor position and ran again.” Tylec said he interviewed for State Assembly when Bill Conrad ended up endorsed. They have become great partners. He doesn’t get as much help from Ortt, even though the Senator is minority leader. “Yelling at the governor only gets you so far.”

In light of Amherst, Buffalo and Tonawanda, how is your budget?

“I joke with people that after covid, we were close to bankrupt when everybody else was flush with cash. The years go by and we are improving our finances. I grew up in a house where my dad watered down the handsoap. Every nickel counts. Sales tax is a huge driver. Through marketing, the city grew 5% year over year.”

Tylec said while the city has some contracts with private companies that are obviously bad deals, there are some things going well, for example, Deerwood Golf Course.

While it takes work, relations with the unions are not contentious. Police are up this year and are a big portion of the budget.

Other areas are a priority, for example, making sure the DPW has the ability to continue replacing sidewalks.

What about the NT City Market?

Chris DelPrince really elevated it. Grants were found for improvements. They put in the veterans wall. On a good day, more than 5,000 people visit.

What about Anastasia? She started at the market and then moved to brick-and-mortar on Zimmerman Street?

“She came to my office and was nervous. She brought an olive baguette. She grew and grew. If I didn’t get there by 8 a.m. she was sold out.”

What are you doing for the next four years?

We are focusing on attracting more business, on growth and on more economic investment in our neighborhoods. The city received a $500,000 grant for improving properties in areas like the avenues that should help homeowners and tenants alike. The water meter upgrade was a huge success because the city didn’t know where half its water was going.