City Council minutes — October 5, 2026 (full text)

Regular Council Meeting Monday, October 5, 2026 Council Chambers 6:30 p.m. Caucus – Meeting will immediately follow the Caucus Live via Facebook @ http//facebook.com/lackawannany/ Meeting Called to Order/Pledge of Allegiance. NB: Meeting being recorded. Roll Call: Council: Muflahi, Anderson, Meegan, Surdyke, Marrano Dept. Heads: Law, Development & Marketing, Public Works, Public Safety, Comptroller, Recreation, Comptroller Hearings from Citizens: Approval of Minutes: of the Regular Meeting of September 21, 2026 as written. Moved by Marrano second by Muflahi to adopt minutes of the regular meeting of September 21, 2026 as written. Yeas: Muflahi, Anderson, Meegan, Surdyke, Marrano Carried 5‐0 Departmental Reports: 1. City Comptroller – A/P Capital Fund Check Listing #1, dated 9/18/2026. 2. City Comptroller – A/P Check Listing #5, dated 9/21/2026. 3. City Comptroller – A/P Checking Listing #6, dated 9/28/2026. Moved by Marrano second by Meegan to receive and file Departmental Reports one through three. Yeas: Muflahi, Anderson, Meegan, Surdyke, Marrano Carried 5‐0 Communications from the Council: Council Member Muflahi requests the City Council revisit the New York State Veterans Property Tax Exemption and receive an update from the City Attorney and the City Assessor. 4. Dear Honorable City Council Members, I hope this letter finds you all in the best of health. I’m requesting the City Council revisit the New York State Veterans Property Tax Exemption, RPTL § 458‐a(11). This was once before us with a receive and file action only. I request that we receive an update from both the City Attorney and City Assessor, whom I will share this agenda item with as well. As a Purple Heart City we pride ourselves on honoring the brave men and women who have sacrificed so much in servitude to our nation. Their courage, dedication, and selflessness represent the very best of our community and country. We should remain committed to recognizing our Veterans and provide them with the earned incentives their service and sacrifice has warranted them.

I look forward to having this on the agenda and working together to get this much needed financial relief to our disabled vets who, for us, have already paid so much. AMIRA MUFLAHI, FIRST WARD COUNCIL MEMBER Moved by Muflahi second by Meegan for the City of Lackawanna to adopt the full real property tax exemption authorized under New York Real Property Tax Law § 458‐a(11) for qualifying permanently and totally service‐disabled veterans. Yeas: Muflahi, Anderson, Meegan No: Surdyke, Marrano Carried 3‐2 Communications from Division/Department Heads: Senior Foreman, Public Works requests the City Council approve the ordinance transferring funds to purchase a 2026 CAT 926 front loader and add the budget codes: “2026 CAT 926 Front Loader” and “State Aid Highway (CHIPS).” This is fully reimbursable through the NYS Dept. of Transportation. 5. City of Lackawanna Department of Public Works Re: Equipment Purchase / Fund Transfer Request Dear Honorable City Council Members, I respectfully request approval to purchase one 2026 CAT 926 front loader. The total cost for this equipment is $220,667.20. The expenditure is fully reimbursable through New York State Department of Transportation (NYS DOT) EWR funding. In order to proceed with this purchase, I am also requesting that the City Comptroller transfer funds in the amount of $220,667.20 from the unappropriated fund balance into the capital budget line H.2080.0624. Your consideration and approval of this request are greatly appreciated. DANIEL GEERCKEN, SENIOR FOREMAN, PUBLIC WORKS Moved by Marrano second by Anderson to receive and file, act on ordinance. Yeas: Muflahi, Anderson, Meegan, Surdyke, Marrano Carried 5‐0 ORDINANCE AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE 2026‐2027 BUDGET ORDINANCES ADOPTED JUNE 9TH, 2026. BE IT ENACTED by the City Council of the City of Lackawanna, New York, as follows: GENERAL FUND SECTION 1. That the 2026‐2027 Budget Ordinance adopted June 9th, 2026, is hereby amended to

add the following Budget Codes to the Capital Fund: H.2080.0624 – “2026 CAT 926 Front Loader (NYS DOT EWR Funding)” and H.0000.3501 – State Aid Highway (CHIPS). GENERAL FUND SECTION 2. That the 2026‐2027 Budget Ordinance is hereby amended to transfer unappropriated Fund balance in the amount of $220,667.20 to the “Transfer to Other Fund – Capital” Budget Code [A.9000.9550]. CAPITAL FUND SECTION 3. That the 2026‐2027 Budget Ordinance is hereby amended to increase the “Capital Fund Inter Fund Transfers” Budget Code [H.0000.5031] by $220,667.20. SECTION 4. That the 2026‐2027 Budget Ordinance is hereby amended to allocate budgeted funds in the amount of $220,667.20 to the H.2080.0624 – “2026 CAT 926 Front Loader (NYS DOT EWR Funding).” THIS ORDINANCE SHALL TAKE EFFECT IMMEDIATELY. DATED: October 6, 2026 Lackawanna, New York Moved by Marrano second by Anderson to adopt ordinance as written. Yeas: Muflahi, Anderson, Meegan, Surdyke, Marrano Carried 5‐0 Senior Foreman, Public Works requests the City Council approve CPL as the architectural and engineering firm for the City Hall Extension Demolition Project. The total cost is $194,000 for the proposed professional services and fees. 6. To: Honorable Members of the Lackawanna City Council From: Dan Geercken Senior Foreman of Public Works Re. Request for Approval of CPL as Architectural and Engineering Firm – City Hall Extension Demolition Project Dear Members of the Lackawanna City Council: I am respectfully requesting that the Lackawanna City Council approve CPL as the architectural and engineering firm for the City of Lackawanna City Hall Extension Demolition Project, located at 714 Ridge Road, Lackawanna, New York. CPL has submitted a proposal to provide the professional architectural and engineering services necessary to advance the project. Proposed professional services and fees: SHPO Coordination $30,000.00

Design $98,000.00 Bidding $7,000.00 Architectural/Engineering Construction Administration and Closeout $35,000.00 Construction Project Coordinator (6 hours/week for 18 weeks) $24,000.00 Total $194,000.00 Approval of CPL will allow the City to proceed with the necessary architectural, engineering, structural, bidding, and construction documentation required to advance the City Hall Extension Demolition Project. Thank you for your consideration of this request. DANIEL GEERCKEN, SENIOR FOREMAN, PUBLIC WORKS Moved by Marrano second by Muflahi to TABLE for more information. Yeas: Muflahi, Anderson, Meegan, Surdyke, Marrano Carried 5‐0 Director of Public Safety requests the City Council approve the ordinance to transfer funds from the “Police Department’s Service Contract” budget line to “Public Safety’s Emergency Communication Network” Budget Line. 7. To: City Council From: Dino Marrocco, Director of Public Safety Subject: Transfer of Funds Your Honorable Body: Attached for your approval is an ordinance to transfer funds from the Police Department’s Service Contract Budget Line to Public Safety’s Emergency Communication Network Budget line. The transfer is necessary because the yearly invoice for the City’s Emergency Communication Network exceeds the budgeted amount. $423.00 from A3120.444 to A3120.453. DINO MARROCCO, PUBLIC SAFETY Moved by Marrano second by Anderson to receive and file, act on ordinance. Yeas: Muflahi, Anderson, Meegan, Surdyke, Marrano Carried 5‐0 ORDINANCE AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE 2026‐2027 BUDGET ORDINANCES ADOPTED JUNE 9TH, 2026. BE IT ENACTED by the City Council of the City of Lackawanna, New York, as follows: SECTION 1. That the 2026‐2027 Budget Ordinance adopted June 9th, 2026, is hereby amended to transfer budget appropriations between budget lines.

SECTION 2. That the 2026‐2027 Budget Ordinance adopted June 9, 2026, is hereby amended to decrease budget line A.3120.0444.0000 Police Department – Service Contracts by $423.00 and to increase budget line A.3010.0453.0000 Emergency Communications Network by $423.00. THIS ORDINANCE SHALL TAKE EFFECT IMMEDIATELY. DATED: October 6, 2026 Lackawanna, New York Moved by Marrano second by Anderson to adopt ordinance as written. Yeas: Muflahi, Anderson, Meegan, Surdyke, Marrano Carried 5‐0 Director of Public Safety requests the City Council approve the sale of 4 police vehicles. The proceeds to be placed in the Police Dept. Operating Budget. 8. To: Lackawanna City Council Attn: Council President Frederic Marrano From: Dino Marrocco, Director of Public Safety Subject: SALE OF POLICE DEPARTMENT VEHICLE Honorable Council Members: I respectfully request authorization to sell the following police vehicles:  2021 Dodge Police Pursuit VIN# 1C4RDJFG4MC847419  2013 Ford Taurus interceptor VIN# 1FAHP2M87DG167579  2018 Ford Explorer Police Interceptor VIN# 1FM5K8AR8JGB91893  2023 Ford Explorer Police Interceptor VIN# 1FM5K8AB6PGA01102 All proceeds from the sale of aforementioned vehicle will be placed in the Lackawanna Operating Budget Police Department account code A‐3120‐250. DINO MARROCCO, PUBLIC SAFETY Moved by Marrano second by Anderson to approve request. Yeas: Muflahi, Anderson, Meegan, Surdyke, Marrano Carried 5‐0 City Comptroller requests the City Council approve the ordinance facilitating the budget transfers needed for the 2025‐2026 budget. 9. Honorable Council President Honorable City Council 2838 South Park Avenue Lackawanna, NY 14218

Re: 2025‐2026 Budget Transfers for Council Approval Dear Honorable Body: Attached please find an Ordinance for your approval which is to facilitate the budget transfers needed for the 2025‐2026 budget. These transfers will balance accounts that were in the red at July 31, 2026 PEGGY BIGAJ‐SOBOL, COMPTROLLER Moved by Marrano second by Anderson to receive and file, act on ordinance. Yeas: Muflahi, Anderson, Meegan, Surdyke, Marrano Carried 5‐0 ORDINANCE AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE 2025‐2026 BUDGET ORDINANCES ADOPTED JUNE 9TH, 2025. BE IT ENACTED by the City Council of the City of Lackawanna, New York, as follows: SECTION 1. That the 2025‐2026 Budget Ordinance adopted June 9, 2025, is hereby amended to transfer budget appropriations between various budget lines. SECTION 2. That the 2025‐2026 Budget Ordinance adopted June 9, 2025, is hereby amended to decrease budget line A.1315.0469.0000 Comptroller – Consultant Fees by $11,142.00 and increase Budget line A.1315.0101.0000 Comptroller – Personal Services by $11,142.00. SECTION 3. That the 2025‐2026 Budget Ordinance adopted June 9, 2025, is hereby amended to decrease Budget line A.1325.0442.0000 Treasurer – Printing Tax Roll by $4,424.00. Budget line A.1325.0101.0000 Treasurer – Personal Services will be increased by $4,424.00. SECTION 4: That the 2025‐2026 Budget Ordinance adopted June 9, 2025, is hereby amended to decrease Budget line A.1345.0401.0000 Purchasing – Office Supplies by $4,780.00, Budget line A.1345.0402.0000 Purchasing – Photo & Reproduction Supplies by $2,000.00 and Budget line A.1345.0443.0000 Purchasing – Computer/Monitoring Software by $2,507.00. budget line A.1345.0101.0000 Purchasing – Personal Services will be increased by $9,287.00 SECTION 5: That the 2025‐2026 Budget Ordinance adopted June 9, 2025, is hereby amended to decrease Budget line A.1900.1964.0000 Special Items – Refund to Real Property Tax $28,774.00 and Budget line A.1900.1925.0000 Special Items – Telephone Service by $701.00. Budget line A.1900.1910.0000 Special Items – Unallocated Insurance will be increased by $27,210.00, Budget line A.1900.1920.0000 Special Items – Municipal Association Dues will be increased by $701.00 and Budget line A.1900.1950.0000 Special Items – Sewer Fees & Assessments on City Property will be increased by $1,564.00.

SECTION 6: That the 2025‐2026 Budget Ordinance adopted June 9, 2025, is hereby amended to decrease Budget line A.1900.1930.0000 Special Items – Judgements & Claims by $86,000.00 and Budget line A.3120.0103.0000 Police Department – Court Time by $72,067.00. Budget line A5182.0425.0000 Street Lighting will be increased by $158,067.00. SECTION 7: That the 2025‐2026 Budget Ordinance adopted June 9, 2025, is hereby amended to decrease Budget line A.9000.9030 Undistributed Expense – Social Security by $94,170.00 and Budget line A.9000.9050 Undistributed Expense – Unemployment Insurance by $510.00. Budget line A9000.9040.0000 Undistributed Expense – Worker’s Compensation will be increased by $94,170.00 and Budget line A.9000.9055.0000 Undistributed Expense – NYS Disability Insurance will be increased by $510.00. SECTION 8: That the 2025‐2026 Budget Ordinance adopted June 9, 2025, is hereby amended to decrease Budget line A.9000.9030.0000 Undistributed Expenses – Social Security by $1.00 and increase Budget lines A.9790.0600.0000 Debt Service – Principal on Loan by $0.50 and A.9790.0700.0000 Debt Service – Interest on Bonds by $0.50. SECTION 9: That the 2025‐2026 Budget Ordinance adopted June 9, 2025, is hereby amended to decrease Budget line CL.8160.0411.0000 Special Revenue Fund: Garbage & Refuse – Drug Testing $45.00 and Budget line CL.8160.0414.0000 Special Revenue Fund: Garbage & Refuse – highway Supplies by $90.00. Budget line CL.8160.0422.0000 Special Revenue Fund: Garbage & Refuse – Electric will be increased by $45.00 and Budget line CL.8160.0424.0000 Special Revenue Fund: Garbage & Refuse – Gas will be increased by $90.00. SECTION 10: That the 2025‐2026 Budget Ordinance adopted June 9, 2025, is hereby amended to decrease Budget line H.0000.9900.0000 Capital Fund – Inter Fund Transfer Out by $540,527.78, increase Budget line A.9730.0700.0000 Debt Service – Interest on Notes by $540.527.78 and increase Budget line A.0000.5031 Revenue – Interfund Transfer by $540,527.78. THIS ORDINANCE SHALL TAKE EFFECT IMMEDIATELY. DATED: October 6, 2026 Lackawanna, New York Moved by Marrano second by Anderson to adopt ordinance as written. Yeas: Muflahi, Anderson, Meegan, Surdyke, Marrano Carried 5‐0 City Comptroller requests the City Council approve the ordinance transferring funds from the “Contingent Budget Line” to the “Council’s Travel Allowance” Budget Line for NYCOM training. 10. Honorable Council President Honorable City Council 2838 South Park Avenue Lackawanna, NY 14218

Dear Honorable Body: Please find attached for your review and consideration an Ordinance transferring funds from the Contingent Budget Line to the Council’s Travel Allowance Budget Line for NYCOM Training and Travel. PEGGY BIGAI‐SOBOL, COMPTROLLER Moved by Marrano second by Meegan to adopt ordinance as written. Yeas: Muflahi, Anderson, Meegan, Surdyke, Marrano Carried 5‐0 ORDINANCE AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE 2026‐2027 BUDGET ORDINANCES ADOPTED JUNE 9TH, 2026. BE IT ENACTED by the City Council of the City of Lackawanna, New York, as follows: SECTION 1. That the 2026‐2027 Budget Ordinance adopted June 9th, 2026, is hereby amended to transfer budget appropriations between budget lines. SECTION 2: That the 2026‐2027 Budget Ordinance adopted June 9th, 2026, is hereby amended to decrease budget line A.1900.1990.0000 Special Items – Contingent Account by $2,500.00 and to increase budget line A.1010.0464.0000 City Council Travel Allowance. THIS ORDINANCE SHALL TAKE EFFECT IMMEDIATELY. DATED: October 6, 2026 Lackawanna, New York Moved by Marrano second by Meegan to adopt ordinance as written. Yeas: Muflahi, Anderson, Meegan, Surdyke, Marrano Carried 5‐0 Communication from Citizens: Lynette Sikorski, resident, requests the City Council provide an update on and timely implementation of the New York State Veteran’s Property Tax Exemption. The exemption filling date is December 1, 2026. 11. Formal Request for October Agenda Placement and Timely Implementation of RPTL §458‐a(11) Ms. Marrano: I am writing to formally request the disabled veterans property‐tax exemption authorized under New York Real Property Tax Law §458‐a(11) be placed on the agenda for the Common Council’s October meeting for consideration and action. At the September 8th meeting, the Council referred this matter to the City Assessor and Law Department for review and requested that the Mayor open a dialogue with local veterans’ organizations. I respectfully ask that these steps be completed in time for the Council to have the

necessary legal opinion, financial analysis, eligibility information, and proposed resolution available for the October meeting. The December 1 exemption filing date is rapidly approaching. Qualifying veterans and their families need sufficient time to understand the application process, determine what documentation will be required, and submit everything necessary by that date. The City should therefore be prepared to provide clear public guidance immediately following any decision by the Council – including eligibility requirements, required documentation, where applications must be submitted, and who veterans should contact for assistance. Because the City, Erie County, and the Lackawanna City School District must each act separately for the exemption to apply to their respective portions of the property‐tax bill, I am also requesting confirmation that the Mayor and appropriate City officials are actively communication with the Lackawanna City School District and Erie County. These conversations should begin now so that the three taxing jurisdictions are not working independently while the December 1 date draws closer. The Mayor’s outreach should not be limited to notifying veterans’ organizations. I respectfully request that her office take an active leadership role by bringing the City, School District, County, Assessor, Law Department, and veterans’ representatives together to address adoption and implementation in a coordinated and timely manner. The veterans who spoke at the September 8th meeting shared deeply personal and emotional testimony about the lasting consequences of service‐connected disabilities. Their words deserve more than acknowledgement; they deserve prompt and meaningful action. Today, on September 11, we mark 25 years since the attacks that changed our country and lives of an entire generation of service members. We repeatedly promise that we will |never forget.” This is an opportunity for the Lackawanna to demonstrate that those words carry genuine meaning – not only through ceremonies and statements, but through action for veterans who returned home permanently and totally disabled because of their service. Please confirm that this matter will be placed on the October Common Council agenda and advise what actions are being taken to ensure that the necessary legal, financial, administrative and intergovernmental work will be completed beforehand. Thank you for your attention to this important and time‐sensitive matter. I look forward to your response. LYNETTE SIKORSKI, RESIDENT Moved by Marrano second by Muflahi to receive and file. Yeas: Muflahi, Anderson, Meegan, Surdyke, Marrano Carried 5‐0 Steve Mandy, resident requests the City of Lackawanna give him his detective badge. 12. Desmond Law Lackawanna City Council 714 Ridge Rd. Lackawanna, NY 14218 Re: Steve Mandy Dear Council Members:

I represent Steve Mandy. He was a City of Lackawanna Police Office for many years. He was born on September 2, 1936. He would like to request that the City of Lackawanna give him his police badge. I appreciate your cooperation. CHARLES S. DESMOND, II, ESQUIRE Dear Member of the Lackawanna City Council and Mayor, I am asking you to reinstate just my gold detective badge. I was demoted from Detective to Patrolman, only because I didn’t buy 4‐250 tickets for the former Mayor’s private party. This was a political move on his part. If you check the record you will see I did nothing wrong. No Mayor or Council ever knew that I had acquired 13 informers throughout the City and surround towns. One of my informers took an under‐cover State Police Officer and made over 26 drug buys, the largest in Lackawanna at that time. Even in that time Judge Marrano signed two of my arrest warrants. When my demotion occurred most of my informants dried up. I am not asking for much, just a little dignity for the time I have left. STEVE MANDY, RESIDENT Moved by Marrano second by Anderson to pass a resolution out of respect and in support of this request to present a commemorative badge to Steve Mandy. Yeas: Muflahi, Anderson, Marrano No: Meegan, Surdyke Carried 3‐2 Dean Smith, resident requests the City Council discuss the traffic safety on Orchard Place and to reevaluate one‐way traffic and immediate safety measures. 13. Please place the following item on the next available City Council agenda: Orchard Place Traffic Safety: Request to Evaluate One‐Way Traffic and immediate Safety Measures. Ms. Marrano, I, live on Orchard Place near a school and playground. I’m reporting that drivers travel at excessive speeds, that school zone signage is missing or inadequate, and that motorists fail to stop at the sign near my home. I am asking the City to consider making Orchard Place a one‐way street or to consider speed bumps. Please refer this matter for Council discussion and request a traffic‐safety review of Orchard Place. The review should assess the feasibility and impacts of one‐way traffic, vehicle speeds, school zones and other warning signage, stop sign visibility and compliance and any appropriate enforcement or other immediate safety measures. Please also ask the responsible City departments to report their findings and recommendation to Council. Children and families should be able to travel to and from the nearby school and playground safely. Please confirm receipt of this request and let me know whether it will be placed on the agenda.

DEAN SMITH, RESIDENT Moved by Marrano second by Muflahi to receive and file, refer to Director of Public Safety and Police Chief. Also include West Elm and Weber behind the High School and Elmview. Check timing on new traffic light. Yeas: Muflahi, Anderson, Meegan, Surdyke, Marrano Carried 5‐0 Tabled Items: Old Business: Adjournment: Moved by Marrano second by Muflahi to adjourn meeting. Yeas: Muflahi, Anderson, Meegan, Surdyke, Marrano Carried 5‐0