Tom Nelson, Tamu Graham-Reinhardt

Jamestown City Council has approved the appointment of two familiar faces to the Jamestown Board of Public Utilities.

Former Council-Member-at-Large Tamu Graham-Reinhardt and former Ward 6 Council Member Tom Nelson were both put forward by Mayor Eddie Sundquist to serve on the BPU Board.

Council President Tony Dolce said both appointees obviously have experience in City Government, “Both of them have working knowledge, obviously, of the BPU since we’ve been dealing with that for several years on Council. I think people felt comfortable with knowing who they were and knowing that they have some level of experience and that they’re people that we know that are easily accessible with us to communicate with us.”

Graham-Reinhardt and Nelson will replace former BPU Chair Greg Rabb and Jim Olson on the board.

Justin Hubbard, Missy Paterniti

Jamestown City Council voted down Mayor Eddie Sundquist‘s citizen appointments to the Board of Public Utilities as well as the reappointment of Justin Hubbard to the Human Rights Commission.

City Clerk Jennifer Williams read a letter from the Human Rights Commission advocating for Hubbard’s reappointment, “We feel it is our duty to try to convey to our elected representatives how much we value Mr. Hubbard and the ideas, thoughtfulness, and passion that he brings to our group. As a teacher, he brings a point of view regarding education that helps us better understand and address human rights issues in our schools.”

Resident Missy Paterniti spoke out against Hubbard being reappointed, saying he publicly attacked her at an HRC meeting by calling her a racist and a bigot in response to her creating a petition to the school district to keep the “Red Raiders” name, “I contacted Elliot Raimondo [City Corporation Counsel] and nothing happened. I wrote to the mayor. And I’m just asking you, as the city council, that have the ability to remove this gentleman from the commission, please do so because he doesn’t belong there.”

Hubbard, speaking at privilege of the floor, said he was approached by Mayor Sundquist following rallies he helped organize after George Floyd‘s death in 2020 about serving on a reinstated Human Rights Commission. Hubbard said while on the HRC, he was approached by members of the community regarding issues on discrimination in relation to religion, race, and sexuality, “Even though I knew that some of these complaints were about members of council and that would make some members of this council unhappy with me for bringing them to the table, I knew that it was my duty to do so. I also believe that the passion I brought to this position made it so that people could feel free to contact me when dealing with very stressful issues.”

Council voted 2 to 6 not to reappoint Hubbard with Brent Sheldon, Marie Carrubba, Andrew Faulkner, Kim Ecklund, Randy Daversa, and Jeff Russell voting no.

The appointment of Sean Conner and Sabrina Gustafson to the BPU Board to replace Jim Olson and Greg Rabb failed 4 to 4 with Brent Sheldon, Andrew Faulkner, Kim Ecklund, and Randy Daversa voting no.

Council President Tony Dolce said while he supported the appointments to the BPU board, he doesn’t know why other council members did not but he guessed it may have come down to qualifications, “In the past, there’s always been a kind of.. not going to say controversy but discussion over replacing long time members that have experience with newcomers. And this mayor wanted to put his people in just like the previous mayor did as well. And so I don’t know specifically why those two individuals were voted down by specific council people.”

Jim Olson and Greg Rabb will remain on the BPU board as holdovers until new appointments can be made.

Jamestown City Council

The funding for the equipment comes from American Rescue Plan lost revenue monies. Following last week’s work session discussion, a resolution to also purchase a sidewalk plow for $153,259 was added. This plow would replace a 1979 Bombardier.

Under new business, Council will vote on a contract with the Jamestown Professional Firefighters Association Local 137. This contract runs from January 1, 2021 to December 31, 2024. Four new firefighters would be hired in June under the contract to man new EMS vehicles. The contract also includes wage increases of 2.5% for 2021 through 2023, and a 2.75% increase in 2024. There also are prescription pay increases, increases to health insurance plans, and health insurance for new hires ends at the Federal Medicare eligible age.

Also under new business is a contract with the Kendall Club Police Benevolent Association. The contract covers January 1, 2021 through December 31, 2024. The contract also includes wage increases of 2.5% for 2021 through 2023, and a 2.75% increase in 2024. There also are increases for prescription costs and health insurance plans

Council also will be voting on appointments to city boards and commissions that were tabled at the organizational meeting held on January 3rd. On that list included new appointments to the Jamestown Board of Public Utilities that replaced long-time board members Greg Rabb and Jim Olson, Council member Marie Carrubba, and former Council member Grant Olson.

At the start of the meeting, a presentation will be given honoring the former City Historian, B. Delores Thompson for her work in preserving the history of the City of Jamestown.

Mayor elect Eddie Sundquist discusses his transition strategy during a press conference on Friday, Nov. 22.

[UPDATE (DEC 31, 2019 – 1:40 p.m.)] – The Jamestown City Council reorganization meeting is Wednesday, Jan. 1 at noon at Jamestown Community College’s Scharmann Theater. New Jamestown Mayor Eddie Sundquist will be sworn into office, along with the new members of the Jamestown City Council.

JAMESTOWN – When Jamestown mayor-elect Eddie Sundquist is sworn into office on Jan. 1, his first official duty as mayor will be to fill several administrative positions as well as make appointments (or reappointments) to more than three dozen seats on various city boards and commissions (including three citizen representative seats and one city council representative seat on the Jamestown Board of Public Utilities).

As written in the city charter, the mayor is tasked with making appointments to a variety of director positions, along with various boards, commissions and city officers. However, the city council is given the power of consent, meaning any appointment by the mayor must be approved by at least a simple majority of the Jamestown City Council.

“Obviously there is a very limited amount of time for us to find everyone – again 38 spots along with department positions. So if we are able to and after we receive approval from the council – the council will receive the list about a week or two before the (appointment) vote – if we have approval to release it we will do so,” Sundquist said during his transition strategy announcement on Friday.

It should be noted that there is no requirement in the city charter that the mayor first provide a list his prospective appointees to the city council before making it public, let alone that the council must give the mayor persmission to provide the list prior to its review.

ADMINISTRATIVE POSITIONS UP FOR APPOINTMENT ON JAN. 1

Among the administrative appointments Sundquist must make are for the following positions:

• Director of Administrative Services/City Clerk (currently held by acting clerk Jim Olson through Dec. 31, 2019)
• City Comptroller (currently held by Joe Bellitto through Dec. 31, 2019)
• Director of Development (vacated Nov. 12 by Vince DeJoy)
• Director of Public Works (currently held by Jeff Lehman through Dec. 31, 2019)
• Corporation Counsel/HR Director (currently held by Peter Larson through Dec. 31, 2019)

Both current city clerk Jim Olson and current city comptroller Joe Bellitto plan to retire in the near future, though in Bellitto’s case he has stated he would be willing to stay on in 2020 to help transition a new comptroller.

In the case of the director of development, currently city principal planner Crystal Surdyk is coordinating the department through the remainder of this year.

Public works director Jeff Lehman is the longest-serving department head, having been in his position since 1994 and serving under two different mayors (Republican Richard Kimball and current mayor and Democrat Sam Teresi). Lehman has not indicated any plans to step down from his position and it will be up to Sundquist to determine if he should be reappointed for another four years or go with someone else.

Larson was appointed city attorney this past March to fill out the remainder of the term of former corporation counsel Marylin Fiore-Lehman, who announced her departure to take a position with the Chautauqua County District Attorney’s Office. He has also continued to work for the private practice of Bly, Sheffield, Bargar & Pillittieri since his appointment.

The position of Jamestown Public Safety Director / Police Chief is also an appointed position, which is currently held by chief Harry Snellings. However, the term of that position will not end until Dec. 31, 2021.

THREE BPU SEATS HIGHLIGHT BOARD AND COMMISSION APPOINTMENTS

According to information provided to WRFA by the city clerk’s office, there are 38 different city board and commission seats up for appointment or reappointment on Jan. 1.  Among them are four seats on the Jamestown BPU.

For the BPU, both citizen board members Martha Zenns and Terrance Horner are in the final year of their four-year term. In addition, citizen board member Ralph Wallace is in the final year of his two-year term on the board. Sundquist will also have to appoint a city council representative to the BPU. Currently Maria Jones is serving as the city council’s BPU member, but she lost reelection on Nov. 5 and as a result, another member of the new city council will have to be appointed to her seat. Rounding out the BPU citizen members are currently BPU chair Gregory Rabb  along with Jim Olson (both terms end on Dec. 31, 2021).  The remaining three BPU members will be Eddie Sundquist, who serves as board president by way of his position as mayor, along with the public works director (currently Jeff Lehman) and the president of the city council (currently Marie Carrubba).

(Note: Because Carrubba is a Democrat and the Republican party will take control of the council on Jan. 1, it’s expected a new city council president will be named and, as a result, that person will then assume that seat on the BPU. Speculation is that councilman Tony Dolce will be voted Council president on Jan. 1.)

– OTHER BOARDS/COMMISSIONS –

There are ten other board and commission seats and officer positions that will also need appointment are reappointment come Jan. 1. They include:

Jamestown Local Development Corporation  (4 year term)

• Two seats currently held by George Spitale and Mark Morton plus one city council representative seat, currently held by Kim Ecklund (2 year term)

Jamestown Urban Renewal Agency (4 year term)

• One seat currently held by Martha Zenns

Zonning Board of Appeals (3 year term)

• Three seats currently held by Ellen DiTonto (current chair), Sally Martinez, and Judith Sandson.

Planning Commission (5 year term)

• One seat currently held by Paul Whitford.

Property, Rehabilitation and Conservation Board of Appeals (3 year terms)

• Seven seats currently held by Nanzy Griswold, Mary Maxwell, Sharon McKotch, Gary Sorenson,  and three vacancies.

Parks, Recreation and Conseration Commission (5 year term)

• Two seats currently held by Russell E. Diethrick, Jr. and John Bauer

Riverfront Management Council (3 or 5 year terms)

• One Vacancy; Two designated Parks, Rec. and Con. Commission Member (Currently Russell Diethrick Jr. and John Bauer); One Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy Representative; One Roger Tory Peterson Institute Representative; One Jamestown Audubon Society representatives; One Jamestown High School represenative; and three JHS Student representatives (all 5 year terms).

Veterans Memorial Commission (3 year terms)

• Three seats currently held by Charles Telford (chair), Daniel Kell, and Theresa Baginski.

Board of Electrical Examiners (2 year term)

• Two seats currently held by James McTavish and Steve Nowel.

Constable (4 year term)

• Three positions  up for reappointment: Marie Hill (holdover), Camille Krawczyk (holdover), and Michael Berg.

Marriage officer (4 year term)

• Three officers up for reappoinment: Gregory Rabb, Paul Whitford, and Lillian Ney.

“These can be voted on collectively on January 1 or tabled until the next regularly scheduled meeting, probably January 27,” explained city clerk Jim Olson when providing the list to WRFA.

Todd Thomas

JAMESTOWN – The Jamestown City Council has accepted the resignation of the Jamestown City Clerk.

On Monday night the council accepted the resignation of current clerk and administrative services director Todd Thomas and also acted on appointing former Clerk Jim Olson as the acting clerk for the remainder of this year.

The action came after Thomas informed the mayor and city council he accepted a job as Chautauqua County assistant attorney.

Thomas became clerk in August 2017 when Olson retired from the position. He was appointed to serve for at least the remainder of Olson’s term, which expires at the end of this year.

Olson will be returning on a part-time basis and will finish the rest of the current term. The winner of the 2019 mayoral election in November will appoint a new clerk in January 2020, pending majority approval from the City Council.

George Panebianco, board member of the National Comedy Center, sits before the Jamestown Zoning Board of Appeals during a special hearing that took place Thursday June 21 in Jamestown.

JAMESTOWN – The Jamestown Zoning Board of Appeals has approved the variance and special use requests from the National Comedy Center to install two large electronic signs on the facade of the facility.

Much of Thursday’s hearing focused on testimony from the NCC, which was provided by board member George Panebianco, although both executive director Journey Gunderson and board chair Tom Benson were also both in attendance. Panebianco offered reasons for why the NCC waited until the eleventh hour to make the requests to the board, as well as why no officials from the NCC attended a regular zoning board meeting earlier this month.

“To be clear, I acknowledge that there have been some mistakes and miscommunications between the National Comedy Center and the city of Jamestown regarding these signs,” Panebianco said in his opening statement. “We apologize for the process being delayed and the unnecessary controversy that has come with it. while there may be differences in how the law should be interpreted, it is our full intent to address the board, provide it with the appropriate information so that a positive determination can be made.”

Panebianco explained that there was a misunderstanding in regards to the zoning variance for the signs because the city planning commission had signed off on plans for the building in 2015 after the city code was updated to specifically address the signs.

“Section 300-0706 was created in April 2015 for the specific purpose of allowing those signs to come in. And what they did was they exempted the comedy center from that as long as there was site approval. That was passed on April 27, 2015,” Panebianco noted.

The National Comedy Center in Jamestown, NY will open on Aug. 1, 2018.

However, Zoning board member Jim Olson – who also served as Jamestown city clerk and worked in city government for over 30 years before retiring last summer – felt that the 2015 change in the code only addressed a portion of the NCC request involving the installment of the signs. He said once the new city code involving signs was adopted at the start of 2017, the NCC waited over a year before finally making its request for the variance and special use permit.

“Why are we sitting here with less than 60 days before opening, if city officials encouraged you to come in to do this in 2017 after the new code was put in place. Why did you guys wait so long,” Olson asked.

In response to Olson’s question, Panebianco said the NCC felt the city was wrong in requiring officials to come back and request the variances and special use permit for the signs, based on the prior approval of the site plans.

“Maybe we could have brought a lawsuit and went to court and decided whether we would have to come and do this, but we sat down with the city and we said, ‘Okay. We’ll put forward this application.’ We wanted to be compliant and we want to do everything we can for the safety, the health, and the welfare of this community and also for the betterment of the development of the west side of this community,” Panebianco said.

Later during the hearing, he reiterated the NCC’s commitment to working with the city.

“I’m sorry you had to go through this and I’m sorry we had to go through this. It was not our intention and if there were differences, I’m sorry it took so long and I’m sorry that we’re here. But we are here asking for your approval, with the clear understanding that we will be compliant with anything that furthers the safety of our citizens,” Panebianco said.

Following over an hour of testimony, questions, and public comment from six different individuals including Gebbie Foundation Executive Director Greg Edwards, the board voted on the two variances a final vote was 5 to 1.

Despite voicing his concerns with the process and how it felt like the NCC was thumbing its nose at the city by continuing to erect the screens for the sign even though a variance wasn’t yet granted and a cease and desist notice had been issued by the city, Olson put forward a reluctant “yes” vote.

The only board member to vote no was Richard Hanson, who said his reason was due to traffic safety concerns because the signs may have a negative impact on southbound traffic along Washington Street, which is a state route located right next to the NCC building and which sees significant traffic.

However, the zoning board pointed out that if the state DOT felt it was a significant hazard, it would be able to stop the usage of the signs – despite them receiving a variance and special use permit from the city.

Following the hearing, Panebianco said the NCC is obviously looking forward to completing the project in time for its grand opening on August 1.

The National Comedy Center in Jamestown, NY will open on Aug. 1, 2018.

JAMESTOWN – A variance request involving electronic signage at the National Comedy Center (NCC) had to be tabled by the city’s Zoning Board of Appeals Wednesday because no one from the NCC was on hand to represent the organization.

The NCC is seeking an area variance and Special Use Permit to install two 357 square-foot EMD (Electric Messaging Display) signs on the front façade of the NCC on West Second Street. Under city code, the maximum allowable size for EMD signs is 144 square feet and the maximum number allowed EMD signs is one.

But according to the Jamestown Post-Journal, no representative from the NCC attended Wednesday’s petition hearing. Instead, NCC executive director Journey Gunderson, who was on the agenda as being the representative to go before the board, notified city development director Vince DeJoy that she wouldn’t be able to attend the hearing.

Because the NCC is scheduled to open on Aug. 1 and because it will take time to secure permits to install the signs, DeJoy requested that the zoning board not to table the variance request.

However, Zoning Board members felt it was important to have a representative from the NCC at the hearing before they could make a decision on variance and special use request.  Current zoning board member and retired city clerk Jim Olson stated that during his 30 years in city government, he cannot remember any time when the zoning board passed a variance request without a representative for the petitioner present. He also questioned the NCC’s petition at this late date, with the grand opening of the future national attraction planned for Aug. 1.

The board ultimately (and unanimously) voted to table the variance and special permit request. The next scheduled meeting for the zoning board is Wednesday, July 11.

Jamestown Mayor Sam Teresi at the Oct. 16, 2017 city council work session.

“We are anxiously awaiting the case to move forward to be educated, apparently, on the true nature of the city’s financial position.” – Jamestown Mayor Sam Teresi

JAMESTOWN – Mayor Sam Teresi says the arbitration hearing between the city and its police union to settle contract differences wont get underway until February 2018.

The Jamestown Kendall Club Police Benevolent Association has been working without a new contract since Jan. 1, 2016.  Since that time, both the city and union have tried to iron out a new collective bargaining agreement but the process reached an impasse earlier this year. As a result, the contract issue will go before an arbitration panel in mid February.

• VIEW 2012-2016 Kendell Club PBA Contract

During Monday night’s city council work session, Teresi said February was the time the two sides settled on because of conflicts later this year with holiday schedules, as well as the union planning to have a financial consultant testify, but not being able to do so until mid February.

“Apparently the financial consultant they hired will be coming in to demonstrate to us that the city has a very robust financial position and is able to pay whatever needs to be paid in order to settle this matter,” the mayor said. “[The consultant] is questioning whether or not the finances that are presented to you on a monthly basis by our own city comptroller, the audit by our independent auditor, what we’ve been advised by the state comptroller’s office as well as the state division of budget, and the governor’s office who felt it necessary to bringing in $1 million in incentive payments and corrective aid payments to the city on a one-time basis to assist with our restructuring and downsizing initiatives – apparently none of that is true…. We are anxiously awaiting the case to move forward to be educated, apparently, on the true nature of the city’s financial position.”

Jamestown officials have been grappling with financial challenges the past several budgets and is in the process of trying to identify ways to close an estimated $950,000 deficit in the $35.7 million budget proposed for next year.  The mayor has said that many of the financial challenges are due to a lack of local economic growth, coupled with unfunded state mandates tied to minimum staffing requirements, salaries, retirement, and healthcare costs.

The independent arbitrator who has been assigned to work on the contract is Howard Foster of the University of Buffalo School of Management, who’s arbitrated more than 800 labor-management disputes.

Earlier this month, Teresi said retired city clerk and financial services manager Jim Olson will represent the city and John Crotty will represent the police union on the arbitration panel.

Other collective bargaining groups working without a contract include the Jamestown Professional Firefighters Association and Jamestown City Administrative Association.

The lack of an updated contract between the city and its employees is expected to create a challenge for city council members as they work through the 2018 budget process.

Jamestown mayor Sam Teresi recently updated the Jamestown City Council on the matter during its Oct. 2 work session. Teresi said the representatives for the three-member arbitration panel have been selected and will work to settle disputes between the two sides and hammer out a deal. Members of the Kendell Club Police Benevolent Association have been working without a contract since Jan. 1, 2016.

• VIEW 2012-2016 Kendell Club PBA Contract

The independent arbitrator who has been assigned to work on the contract is Howard Foster of the University of Buffalo School of Management, who’s arbitrated more than 800 labor-management disputes.

Teresi said retired city clerk and financial services manager Jim Olson will represent the city and John Crotty will represent the police union on the arbitration panel. The mayor also said no starting date has been set for the arbitration hearing.

Other collective bargaining groups working without a contract include the Jamestown Professional Firefighters Association and Jamestown City Administrative Association.

The lack of an updated contract between the city and its employees is expected to create a challenge for city council members as they work through the 2018 budget process.  That will officially begin Tuesday when Teresi presents his executive budget to the council during a public meeting scheduled for 4 p.m. in the Mayors Conference Room of City Hall.

Jamestown Mayor Sam Teresi and the Jamestown City Council took time out at the end of the Aug. 29 2017 meeting to thank long-time city clerk James Olson, who’s retirement comes at the end of this month.

JAMESTOWN – The Jamestown City Council has approved the appointment of attorney Todd Thomas as city clerk.

Thomas is filling the position that is being vacated by long-time clerk James “Jim” Olson, who announced earlier this month he would be accepting a position in the private sector.

Jamestown Mayor Sam Teresi, who got emotional during the meeting while thanking Olson for his years of service, said although Olson is retiring from his position, he’ll still be helping out the city in a voluntary capacity.

“Jim is staying here in the city and will continue to be a member of the city planning commission and board of assessment review,” Teresi said. “We’re more than friends and colleagues. We’re family and we’re going to remain family. Jim may be moving a couple blocks up the street as part of a certified public accounting firm, but he’ll remain a part of this community and a part of city government, he just won’t be reporting to work on the first floor of city hall every day.”

Olson’s tenure with city government began in 1981 when he was hired as Executive Assistant to former Mayor Steven Carlson. He was then appointed by Carlson to serve as City Clerk in 1985 and then as City Clerk/Treasurer in 1992, where he served until January 1994 when he left city government to start his own Records and Information Management firm, before returning in 2000.

Todd Thomas

As part of the Thomas appointment, the council also approved a change in the title from Director of Financial Services/City Clerk to Director of Administrative Services/City Clerk, to more accurately reflect the breadth and scope of the position. The council also approved an adjustment to the pay scale for the position. Mayor Teresi said that adjustment will result in an annual savings to the city budget of nearly $30,000.

“The position has changed and we felt that the new title better reflects the scope and the breadth of the position. It’s more than just a financial position – it is that, but it’s much more than that,” Teresi said. “We also took the opportunity to restructure the salary schedule on it and there’s going to be a net savings to the taxpayers of the city.”

Thomas has been a city resident and a practicing attorney throughout Chautauqua County since 2004.  He was only just recently appointed to the city zoning board and also brought in as corporation council to assist the city with addressing zombie properties, with that role being paid for by a grant from the state attorney general’s office. He’s also serving as corporation council for the village of Fredonia.

Because the changes to the title must be made in the city charter via a local law, the city council took emergency action on the matter. Typically a local law must wait 30 days after being introduced before it can be acted on. A public hearing on the title change will take place on Sept. 14 at 9 a.m. in the mayor’s conference room of city hall.