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The year started with a mellower, less contentious Niagara Falls City Council but it devolved Wednesday into chaos reminiscent of 2025. The only thing missing was 5 police officers collecting overtime.
Councilmember Jim Perry’s microphone even stopped working again, leading to catcalls from the gallery. It was either Perry’s microphone or maybe he just doesn’t speak loudly enough.
At one point, Council Chairperson Brian Archie, doing his best to control chaos, called a 5-minute recess hoping to reset. It didn’t work.
Steelworkers Union President Tim Huether kicked things off speaking on agenda items, advocating for his union to continue maintaining and repairing the Hyde Park Ice Rink Zamboni and for the city to use city workers for repaving rather than outsourcing a series of paving projects. He gave council members a copy of a cease and desist order composed on the union’s behalf (attached below).
After Huether spoke, and the agenda was approved, acting Corporation Counsel Thomas DeBoy addressed the council and argued that Huether’s order does not fall within the parameters of the grievance process. Huether shot from his seat and challenged DeBoy’s assertion, the first of several meeting disruptions.
The next most contentious thing in the meeting was a temporary operating agreement with 16 Athletics for the Hyde Park Ice Arena. The operation of the rink has been led temporarily by Jerry Puleo since the previous operator was evicted by city administration after the council rejected a chance to accept a bid from a company with a poor reputation.
Councilmember Vincent Cauley asked pointed questions about where the city rests in pursuing $1.5 million allegedly owed by the previous operator as well as other questions about the agreeement, including the need for a 3-year temporary agreement. He moved to postpone the vote but it failed.
DeBoy said the city is still accounting for the money allegedly owed and that the reason for the 3-year agreement was twofold, to allow time for a new RFP and any complications that might arise and because the longer term of the agreement is needed for Puleo to obtain a liquor license. DeBoy also stressed a need for a smooth transition.
It passed 3-2 with councilmember David Zajac joining Perry and Archie as yes votes.
The meeting was chaotic and contentious throughout with back-and-forth between Archie and the gallery which persistently heckled over votes it didn’t like and not being able to hear what was going on.
In other action, the council:
- Agreed to purchase of a hot patch machine that can fill potholes using millings year-round. The machine will cost $74,720. It was tried out last year but not purchased. It will be paid for with CHIPs funds from state taxpayers.
- Approved a $93,000 change order for Scott Lawn Yard for the North Military/Cayuga Drive project. The change is for water and sewer work and will be reimbursed by the Water Board. The change order was previously rejected by the council because either the executive branch poorly communicated or the council didn’t understand.
- Approved a $55,000 change order for work on city pools. The cost, if approved, paid for by federal taxpayer dollars from the American Rescue plan.
- Approved a no cost change order for work on the Duck Island Gazebo.
