[{"_1":2,"_110":-5,"_111":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6554342,"mediaKeyId","5028210-014e8ccdfef6488a74e642cf4dae40e1","parentId",5028210,"title","Council votes at a glance: June 17 meeting — five resolutions adopted unanimously","audioSeconds",717,"startMs",3910000,"endMs",4627000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5028210-014e8ccdfef6488a74e642cf4dae40e1&start=3910&end=4627","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5028210-014e8ccdfef6488a74e642cf4dae40e1/thumbnail_3910000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6554342/Tonawanda/Erie-County/New-York/Council-votes-at-a-glance-June-17-meeting-five-resolutions-adopted-unanimously","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6554342-94d624805aa1633c467a2661cd3b60e9/orig.mp4?Expires=1775698766&Signature=R5mn1uemE6rKmBtQPdvKE8W7uyHzZ049qv8todMvS0HCwzWQq5wY9mSZc0SRTDTQDi9XvsVYBjri8ovY-4X4XsQc6HmJEghhlVLie2ybrRSe3JU07RkqSLG5V0AVBIfdfZajxdQlsrmpPK5kobiOv~dIZADtLUvRSw0NxZzjeuFS0vc-S8Mjx5Qf2Ywq6HjhiGyuvQWHD0FPdh6ZJlqbSMIBtu1gmDQjJCLjklfKmIkhsd2I9redkx4q8vC8-m0zSaZHzelN0HPEoNxGA0dQ2Ki01TwDYb-IiJYPAKY1mPPysvdZEwTMqcHp2F5YgpuybHt1O~~gkjvvKgZ~STl~4w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Tonawanda, NY","date","2025-06-18T17:32:08Z","article","The Tonawanda Common Council adopted five resolutions at its June 17 meeting. The council recorded roll‑call votes with unanimous approval for each item noted during the meeting.

Summary of actions and roll‑call tallies:

- Resolution No. 1 (sponsored by Council member Milam): Accept the Common Council minutes from June 3, 2025, as filed. Vote: Cheesley — Aye; Fisher — Aye; Raumstrow — Aye; Milam — Aye; Cook — Aye. Outcome: Adopted.

- Resolution No. 2 (sponsored by Council member Sheasley): Council waived readings for a set of resolutions (waiver motion passed before adoption) and then adopted Resolution No. 2 by roll call. Vote recorded as unanimous “ayes.” Outcome: Adopted.

- Resolution No. 3 (sponsored by council; amended during the meeting): Agreement with the Tonawanda Football Clinic for use of East Niagara recreational property, concession area lease and cost‑sharing terms (see separate article for details). The council amended a typographic spelling of “vendor” and then adopted the resolution by unanimous roll call: Cheesley — Aye; Fisher — Aye; Raumstrow — Aye; Milam — Aye; Cook — Aye. Outcome: Adopted.

- Resolution No. 4 (sponsored by Council member Fisher): Adopted by unanimous roll call; clerk recorded ayes from all five council members. Outcome: Adopted.

- Resolution No. 5 (sponsored by Council member Milam): Adopted by unanimous roll call. Outcome: Adopted.

Why it matters: The votes formalize routine council business (minutes and several resolutions) and adopt a multi‑part agreement affecting city park operations. The meeting record shows unanimous support for the items brought forward on this agenda.

Ending: Clerk recorded roll‑call votes for each resolution and declared the measures adopted. Individual resolutions will be filed in the council minutes and implemented per their respective directions.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","June 17, 2025 Common Council Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","At its June 17 meeting the Tonawanda Common Council adopted five resolutions (including minutes acceptance and the Tonawanda Football Clinic lease) after routine readings and an amendment to correct a vendor spelling; all recorded roll calls were unanimous 'ayes.'","taxTitle","Tonawanda, Erie County, New York","taxId",56260,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6554347,"Council weighs incentives, temporary fixes for sidewalks damaged by private trees; considers turning sidewalks to homeowners",403,1813000,2216000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5028210-014e8ccdfef6488a74e642cf4dae40e1&start=1813&end=2216","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5028210-014e8ccdfef6488a74e642cf4dae40e1/thumbnail_1813000.jpg","/articles/6554347/Tonawanda/Erie-County/New-York/Council-weighs-incentives-temporary-fixes-for-sidewalks-damaged-by-private-trees-considers-turning-sidewalks-to-homeowners","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6554347-1ab6be712f53be8da0a2e4de04cdedb1/orig.mp4?Expires=1775698766&Signature=dW5gBTYRrZWELRhQhyPCmEp62KQKolsbDTg7xUw1mYsjtdLQ9bOrJ0iuxbvyq-716yspA16R9GjWgJCpjJZcuMX693bP4dFbrqCyy1wlZjkVnZH~1Z1iXQ94JCD2oL2KKIVykgOW0Kl589SdV0KpUfM-VNjEao1PbOGpepy~SHOvWqWakypfCMcQU8dNC1LGJ1B-gvaBv5K7UizkY5s6O~zf0f6mSGH4UjBCGG-tfI0X7DRGuq9tJnP1f98R-fMhKADl2Hf6qavemiR4L4G9vvGByS1tl7a3LTnVQFT3Hty8bgOWLooQD-bR6FEuGGjnJiyMP85M0AZSXhQ7HqxI7g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City staff and council members spent an extended portion of the June 17 meeting discussing recurring sidewalk damage caused by privately owned trees, possible financial incentives to encourage tree removal, and broader policy options including formally transferring sidewalk maintenance responsibility to homeowners.

Jason (identified in the meeting as a city contact on sidewalk issues) described a set of locations where private trees have lifted sidewalks and said staff drafted a letter advising residents to remove problematic trees or face temporary city repairs. He told the council the mayor suggested a tiered incentive framework in which trees 50 inches circumference or greater could receive $1,000 to assist removal costs and smaller trees $500; the suggestion was framed as a starting point for discussion, not a final policy.

Jason and staff outlined an alternative short‑term approach: if residents fail to remove a tree, the city could remove sidewalk concrete and replace it with blacktop as an interim surface until property owners remove the tree. Jason said roughly 20 locations might be affected. Staff warned this would leave the city or property owner with differing maintenance expectations and that cutting major roots can cost tens of thousands: “If you take it down, we're talking $70,000,” a speaker said while discussing very large trees.

Council members and staff debated fairness and consistency: some argued for a one‑time flat assistance to avoid ad hoc decisions, while others said the city should first send letters, then escalate enforcement and billing only after a reasonable period. Several speakers emphasized a consistent, published rule to avoid special treatment. A council member noted prior policy discussions about transferring sidewalks to homeowners and said the city could set a threshold standard (for example, addressing only trips or clear hazards) if sidewalks were turned over to property owners.

Other related topics raised during the discussion included: whether the city can bill homeowners for interim blacktop repairs, how to avoid encouraging ad hoc private improvements that later become city liabilities, and whether an established inspection and rating system should determine which segments the city will fix before turnover. Staff recommended starting with mailed notices and a consistent financial assistance policy if the council chooses to provide one.

Ending: Council agreed to send the drafted letter and to refine policy options. Staff will return with a detailed list of locations, cost estimates for removal and temporary repairs, and a proposed uniform assistance scale rather than case‑by‑case awards.","Council and staff debated sending letters to homeowners about private trees lifting sidewalks, possible small financial incentives (one‑time payments suggested), temporary blacktop repairs and the prospect of turning sidewalk maintenance responsibility to property owners citywide.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6554352,"Consultant outlines year‑long zoning code rewrite tied to state grant and public outreach",434,917000,1351000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5028210-014e8ccdfef6488a74e642cf4dae40e1&start=917&end=1351","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5028210-014e8ccdfef6488a74e642cf4dae40e1/thumbnail_917000.jpg","/articles/6554352/Tonawanda/Erie-County/New-York/Consultant-outlines-yearlong-zoning-code-rewrite-tied-to-state-grant-and-public-outreach","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6554352-acf587f26e4d60dea8e1563605eba7dd/orig.mp4?Expires=1775698766&Signature=ZXdFVMwBjT~fWeQlwvYVqairYxqgi5YLc-j4XeydIRuTx0oUzxWnzpTuVAyzmfS6fhF4P~vJdiov6AmJeenqW4J9BYixDCjbhjYkVu59at22~JXbXrcunfS79qGM6aS~Hzg3KPLE5vJV0tmRHc-BACaM1JSB~n2NL7BUbDecI0BFHQ0vm03ZwrNKsL3PX0GJaeu4iynzvhZun3wI~-pOPbziHVeOIiEQ2FD0SUrqP1OtENNDIydnYYHEljy1HFys-oK8DGf7Fu68EU2wMKkcYEqc-iSti8riZMlFS~t8wsnliQDcF0BIaVgu7fcPip~KtOp-DS9U~pPz-ltE8LW9tg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Justin Steinbach, a bank file manager with CPL, presented a condensed overview of a zoning code update project the firm is doing for the city, telling council members June 17 the work will translate existing planning documents into an updated zoning ordinance.

Steinbach said the team has interviewed multiple department heads — the mayor’s office, engineering, code enforcement and the DDA — and plans roundtable discussions with external users such as the Chamber of Commerce, realtors and developers. He described the objective as “taking those plan‑level policy documents and translating them into an updated zoning tool.”

The schedule Steinbach presented shows an analysis phase through about October, with a goal of completing ordinance drafting for the council to review by mid‑2026. He said the project is funded by New York State Department of State (DOS) funding and that DOS project manager Ben Bedell is coordinating timing to keep the work on schedule.

Why it matters: City officials and business leaders have repeatedly flagged the current code as outdated; council members said a modernized zoning ordinance could help shape Main Street redevelopment, constrain undesirable uses that are currently “grandfathered,” and support DRI‑funded downtown projects.

Steinbach outlined several substantive priorities the team will examine: code structure and procedures, use‑ and district‑specific rules, and measures to ensure conformance with existing planning documents and downtown objectives. He said the consultant expects to wrap the analysis by fall and pursue ordinance drafting in the months that follow, with public outreach events and hearings built into the timetable.

Council members asked whether the rewrite can address long‑standing issues such as automotive or industrial uses inside the downtown footprint that are currently grandfathered; Steinbach said the code rewrite can create mechanisms to discourage or regulate undesirable uses, but changes affecting legally nonconforming uses will be constrained by the timing and status of existing rights.

Ending: Steinbach invited council members and stakeholders to submit questions and attend upcoming outreach sessions; the consultant’s timetable ties the code updates to DOS funding milestones and anticipates draft code language for council consideration in 2026.","CPL consultant Justin Steinbach briefed the council on a schedule and approach to update Tonawanda's zoning code, saying the work will translate planning documents into code revisions with public outreach and an analysis wrapped by fall and code updates next year.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":46,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6554357,"Common Council OKs long-term lease, cost-share for Tonawanda Football Clinic at East Niagara field",535,4092000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5028210-014e8ccdfef6488a74e642cf4dae40e1&start=4092&end=4627","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5028210-014e8ccdfef6488a74e642cf4dae40e1/thumbnail_4092000.jpg","/articles/6554357/Tonawanda/Erie-County/New-York/Common-Council-OKs-long-term-lease-cost-share-for-Tonawanda-Football-Clinic-at-East-Niagara-field","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6554357-3f82c7ffd03e24fc8aaedd5557c16a9e/orig.mp4?Expires=1775698766&Signature=OikebLhVP4Sm8wFc1AgjRI3JGDNlUU5H5umjdy0GgbvoY2OnL1~V3Y7atq5fKxz96f7LyoMIKDtCJFASUiy-VNeyXtH1hAGV7nK~jg4BQtGTnYPmP79xzVrbnoeU5a1fYINOEeoxbvIHi9L6z-U~uhPYpWu2j-gvYNDpB8SUu6OdU8m6NkmMO69i9mjpkI3FlgaVItDn-chROye7sNBFVh5JXnYUAsWVUbA0-720~srk5ufmRqbsRuS5uUS1PDuUrITOUm-XMKL7-9~ORZxB8atK0aSopTIWpDcdIREOoMX~8T6dBFPdA-~wzC0REmrQEHtJ8w6kS1xbrB1ZwWhQAg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The City of Tonawanda Common Council unanimously adopted an agreement on June 17 that grants the Tonawanda Football Clinic a long‑term, nonexclusive lease and establishes cost‑sharing terms for use of the East Niagara recreational area.

The agreement, introduced as Resolution No. 3 and sponsored by Council member Sheasley, states the city will lease a 40‑by‑20 portion of city property abutting 296 East Niagara Street for use as a concession (described in the resolution as a “candy snack stand”) and will grant the clinic priority use of the adjacent football field. The council approved the resolution by roll call vote (Cheesley, Fisher, Raumstrow, Milam and Cook — all “aye”).

Why it matters: The resolution formalizes the clinic’s long‑standing use of city property and sets financial responsibilities intended to reduce friction between the nonprofit and the city for maintenance and seasonal operations.

Key terms in the adopted agreement include: the clinic pays $1 per year in rent; the clinic must provide a $1,000,000 insurance certificate naming the city as additional insured before activities on city property; the city will contract with a vendor for two portable bathrooms (one ADA accessible) and the clinic will reimburse the city 50% of the portable‑bathroom costs for months when the units are used; the clinic will also reimburse the city for the actual cost of seasonal field paint; and the agreement is described as perpetual so long as the clinic continues to function as a nonprofit youth sports organization.

Council member Fisher commented in support of the resolution, saying the clinic “enhances the lives of the children in this area” and noting football and cheerleading teach responsibility and exercise. No amendments changed the material financial terms during the meeting.

The resolution includes standard city authorities: the city retains scheduling control and may require special permits for particular events, and the city reserves the right to immediately terminate use if necessary to protect public health and safety. The resolution also says the parties may not assign the agreement without the city’s written consent.

Ending: The council’s adoption means the clinic’s priority schedule and the city’s vendor‑contract plan for bathroom service and field maintenance are now formalized; the resolution was approved by unanimous roll call and filed as adopted.","The Tonawanda Common Council approved an ongoing lease and a cost‑sharing arrangement with the Tonawanda Football Clinic allowing clinic priority use of the East Niagara recreational field, a small concession stand lease and 50% cost share for portable bathrooms and seasonal field paint.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council votes at a glance: June 17 meeting — five resolutions adopted unanimously

Council weighs incentives, temporary fixes for sidewalks damaged by private trees; considers turning sidewalks to homeowners

Consultant outlines year‑long zoning code rewrite tied to state grant and public outreach

Common Council OKs long-term lease, cost-share for Tonawanda Football Clinic at East Niagara field