Lawmakers will act on several measures, including a request to state officials allowing the city to establish an administrative tribunal to deal with parking infractions in the city. The request has been discussed throughout the year, and if approved by state lawmakers, would lighten to case load for the city courts by no longer having it deal with contested parking tickets.

Another item that may be considered tonight is the city requesting financial and operating assistance from the state. Earlier this year, Governor Andrew Cuomo announced that the state would establish a Financial Restructuring Board for Local Governments. The board would provide recommendations for any municipality that requests help in finding ways to eliminate or reduce operating costs. Jamestown Mayor Sam Teresi calls it a no-strings-attached approach to having the state assist local governments. There is no local cost associated with the board and if the state gives the city permission, the board would make recommendations that the city is not required to follow.

If recommendations made by the board are accepted, up to $5 million per municipality will also be available. The board may also serve, upon joint request from a local government and municipal union, as an alternative binding arbitration panel.

Along with several other items on the agenda, tonight’s meeting will also be the final for two out going council members. Both Ward 1 councilman Stephen Szwejbka and Ward 3 councilman Michael Taylor will not be serving on the council in the new year as neither ran for reelection in November.  Starting in January, Brent Sheldon will be the new councilman for Ward 1 and Tamara Dickey will be the new councilwoman for Ward 3.

Tonight’s meeting begins at 7:30 p.m. and is open to the public.

The area around Lillian Dickson Park (upper right), including Falconer Street and the intersection with Winsor St. (lower left), where some residents would like to see a four-way stop put in place by the city.

JAMESTOWN – During Monday night’s city council work session, representatives from three different groups were on hand to ask the city to consider improving traffic safety in the area of Lillian Dickson Park. Representatives from the Friends of Lillian Dickson Park, Northside Pride and the area Neighborhood Watch groups said that with the recent effort to renovate the park, there is going to be increased child pedestrian activity. They say that, combined with past history of car-pedestrian accidents in the immediate area, means they want to ensure that children’s safety is a top priority.

The traffic coming down Falconer Street has always been an issue. I know it’s come up at a couple of other meetings,” said resident and parent Kathy Carlson, who spoke to both the Jamestown City Council and its public safety committee Monday night. “We’ve been trying to work with the city and they’ve done a couple of studies, using speed trailers and various things. As we are getting closer to the Lillian Dickson Park renovation, the concern for traffic safety is an issue that has come up more recently, as we want to provide safety and crosswalks for the children.”

Bowen St. resident, parent and neighborhood watch member Wilson Cooper also spoke, saying his group is asking the city to consider adding a four-way stop sign at the intersection of Falconer and Winsor Streets, just a block west of the park.  In addition to a four-way stop, residents would also like to see a crosswalk and related signage where Falconer St. intersects with Sturges St.

“I thought about three things when considering this,” Wilson told council members. “Number one – safety, Number two – community, and number three – what the cost is to the city.  Like I’ve expressed to many of the community members, if it’s a matter of cost, give me the okay and I will paint the crosswalk out there myself. I will pay for it… I have a daughter who is six years old and she’ll be seven in October. I want her to be able to have fun at the park [without having to worry about her safety].”

City Councilman Stephen Szwejbka (Ward I), who represents the ward that the park is located in and also is the director of the council’s public safety committee, said that the city police and public works departments will be taking a renewed interest in studying the area.

“it is a dangerous area,” Szwejbka told WRFA following the meeting. “Unfortunately people do speed going up there. Crosswalks and a possible four-way stop and Winsor and Falconer Streets are excellent ideas and I just hope that we do get them in place.”

The area of Falconer St. near Lillian Dickson Park was the location of a tragedy in April 2009 when a child was struck and killed by a motor vehicle after darting out into traffic from between two parked cars. Less than three weeks later, a second child was struck by a vehicle, but eventually recovered from the injuries.  In reaction to those incidents, the city installed signage to make motorists aware that children were at play in the area, although state law does not allow the city to reduce the speed limit around the park.

City police chief Harry Snellings said that over 35 accidents have been reported in that area in the past four years. Both Snellings and DPW director Jeff Lehman will look further into the suggestions from the groups this month and a report on the feasibility of the crosswalk and stop signs could be brought back to the city council as soon as June 17.

According to a police report, officers responded to an incident at Sneakers bar at 100 Harrison St. after a person broke out a large window of the building. The incident allegedly took place at 2:30 a.m. Saturday. The man had left the area before police arrived but was later identified as Taylor. Police issued an arrest warrant, and Taylor turned himself in at the Jamestown Police Department yesterday afternoon.

Taylor posted bail and attended last night’s city council work session. According to an article in today’s Jamestown Post-Journal, Taylor – who was elected to his post in 2005 – announced he would be stepping down as chairman of the council’s Public Safety Committee, although he will continue to serve on the council while his case continues. Councilman Stephen Szwejbka will take over as Public Safety Committee chairman.The next court date regarding Taylor’s charge is tentatively set for April 20.