Jamestown council approves ambulance equipment purchase, backs Energy Choice Act, and authorizes contract talks with children’s events group

The Jamestown City Council, meeting Monday, Sept. 29, approved a contract for new emergency medical equipment, adopted changes to local right-of-way and parking rules, endorsed federal Energy Choice legislation, and authorized the mayor to negotiate an amendment with a local youth events organizer to reduce city costs for a tournament going forward.

Council action came during a regularly scheduled voting session that allowed both in-person and videoconference participation. The meeting included one public-comment speaker who addressed national issues and local concerns, and a brief congratulatory announcement about a promotion in the police department.

The council approved a purchase agreement with Stryker Medical for one LifePak 15 cardiac monitor/defibrillator and one Lucas automated chest-compression system, plus associated equipment, for a total not to exceed $72,173.34. The purchase was presented as subject to the terms and conditions of a 2024 Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) grant.

Members approved several other items with little discussion. The council voted to accept a one‑year state-funded services program grant in the amount of $8,680.00. It also passed two ordinance amendments: one to change the city’s permanent right-of-way (R.O.W.) fees for utility contractors (referencing section 175-3, subchapter b) and another to modify alternate resident parking regulations (amending sections 290-21 through 290-25).

The body also voted to adopt a resolution expressing support for the federal Energy Choice Act (identified on the agenda as H.R. 3699) and encouraged state and federal policymakers to consider local impacts of energy policy on communities such as Jamestown. During the meeting, a council member noted the bill has a Senate companion sponsored by Sen. Jim Justice (listed as S.B. 1945 on the agenda).

Under new business the council approved authorization for the mayor or her designee to negotiate an amendment to the 2024 agreement with Children’s Collaborative Solutions (CCS). The proposed amendment would account for CCS not running the 303 Gausmana tournament going forward into 2026 and beyond and would seek a reduced cost to the city; any amendment would be subject to approval "as to form" by the corporation counsel.

Public comment: Anthony Tobin of 144 Clinton Ave. addressed the council during public comment and spoke about national incidents of violence and his views on federal law-enforcement practices. His remarks included assertions about the role of online radicalization in recent killings; those remarks were presented as his personal opinion and do not reflect council findings.

Votes at a glance - Stryker Medical equipment purchase (LifePak 15 and Lucas system). Funding: up to $72,173.34; funding source: 2024 SAMHSA grant. Outcome: approved (ayes recorded during roll call). Motion text on the agenda: authorization for the mayor and interim fire chief to enter into agreement with Stryker Medical. - State-funded services program (one-year). Funding: $8,680.00 from the State of New York. Outcome: approved (ayes recorded during roll call). - Resolution supporting the Energy Choice Act (H.R. 3699). Outcome: approved (ayes recorded); council comment noted Senate companion S.B. 1945 sponsor Sen. Jim Justice. - Ordinance amendment: permanent right-of-way fees for utility contractors (section 175-3, subchapter b). Outcome: approved (ayes recorded). - Ordinance amendment: alternate resident parking regulations (sections 290-21 through 290-25). Outcome: approved (ayes recorded). - Authorization to negotiate amendment with Children’s Collaborative Solutions regarding 303 Gausmana tournament and city costs; amendment subject to corporation counsel approval. Outcome: approved (ayes recorded).

Council members did not elaborate at length on most measures during this excerpt; the clerk called the council for votes and members responded in the affirmative. The meeting also included a brief congratulatory remark regarding Alexis Carlson’s promotion in the Jamestown Police Department; the record identifies Carlson as a school resource officer.

Records and next steps: the council instructed that any negotiated amendment with CCS return for review as to form by the city’s corporation counsel before becoming effective. Several items cited specific ordinance sections and the SAMHSA grant as the funding authority for the ambulance-equipment purchase. The council did not provide detailed roll-call tallies or recorded dissent in the provided transcript excerpt.