This is a screenshot of Dunkirk’s Common Council meeting Tuesday. OBSERVER Photo by Jo Ward.

At Dunkirk’s Common Council meeting Tuesday, Mayor Wilfred Rosas gave an update on all upcoming events to take place in the city during the next few months.

First off, an Arbor Day celebration that was scheduled for Friday has been postponed.

“I’d like to thank Gov. Cuomo, the Urban Forestry Council and Revitalize Dunkirk for the grant funding to plant 12 trees throughout the city,” Rosas stated.

The Memorial Day Parade and concurring events might also be cancelled.

“I’m still waiting to hear from the state on the status of when they’re going to open and in what phases. Today (Tuesday) I was in contact with the governor’s representatives and it appears that they are making moves to try and reopen regionally,” Rosas shared. “Our county is one of the first that they’re looking at reopening. I don’t believe it would be in our best interest to have that event. I think that we’ll probably be cancelling, but I have not made a determination as of yet.”

As for Music on the Pier, the boat race and Fourth of July, Rosas is still waiting on the state to make the call.

“Again, if it’s not recommended then we will be cancelling those altogether,” Rosas responded. “I’m hoping that we don’t have to cancel, we have really good events scheduled. We’re in the process of contracting some of the events and right now we have everything on hold until we hear further information from the state.”

Rosas did say that the city is planning as if they are going to have them, however all of that will be subject to change dependent upon the situation with COVID-19 and the reopening strategies of New York state.

Rosas also informed the Council that funds are still available for the Dunkirk Local Development Corporation’s Small Business Loan program. Loans are given on a case-by-case application where businesses can request between $2,000 and $25,000 in loan funding.

“At this time we are concentrating on job retention and helping businesses stay open during these trying times,” Rosas added. “If you are a small business in Dunkirk and are interested the program, please contact our Director of Planning and Development Rebecca Wurster for an application and more information.”

Rosas also mentioned that businesses located in the city of Dunkirk are also eligible for $5,000 grants at smallbusiness.com through the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation; funds must be applied towards business expenses.

The city remains on a state of emergency due to COVID-19, however Rosas is looking at reopening the Marina and the boat launch within the next week. As for the Lake Wall Repair project, the city has done everything on their end to ensure the project would meet with the timeline, which was originally Memorial Day.

“The Army Corps of Engineers was out here to do an inspection,” Rosas said. “We have the construction engineers already, as well as the contractor. However, FEMA inspectors have to come in to inspect the wall, and until they do, we cannot start it or we will not be eligible for the funds.”

Rosas stated that he is still working with all of the city’s federal representatives trying to expedite that process, but is being told it may not be until June before they get here, due to the coronavirus crisis.

The next Common Council meeting will be held May 5 at 5:30 p.m.