JAMESTOWN – The Jamestown City Council will be holding its final meeting of the year tonight with a full agenda of itms to be voted on.
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.
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