Jamestown City Council approves police contract, multiple bonds and contracts and names new city historian

Jamestown City Council on April 28 approved a tentative collective bargaining agreement with the Kendall Club police union covering Jan. 1, 2025, through Dec. 31, 2028, and voted to authorize several bond, contract and grant actions, council officials said during the regular session.

The council ratified the police labor agreement after several members recused themselves from the vote; the mayor and council also approved bonds and contracts for public‑works projects, a $350,000 local development loan, federal‑funded street‑safety consulting work, and equipment purchases funded by grants.

The police contract and other votes matter to Jamestown taxpayers and municipal operations: the contract sets terms for the city’s largest public‑safety bargaining unit; the bond and contract approvals fund infrastructure and public‑safety equipment; and the loan and grant awards affect local economic development and operating budgets.

The council meeting opened with a mayoral proclamation honoring Jamestown High School swimmer Connor Dean for state championships and records. Mayor Kimberly A. Eklund then presented a slate of appointments the council approved, including the confirmation of Mike Rowland as Jamestown city historian.

During the public‑comment period, resident Paul Wolf urged the council to “enact some sort of local ordinances that give our officers the ability to do their job” while complying with state and federal law. Wolf said the community should “empower our police force” and explore officer discretion and enforcement tools.

Key council actions and votes (summarized from the meeting record):

- Police collective bargaining agreement: The council approved a tentative agreement between the city and the Kendall Club police union covering 2025–2028. The transcript records that several council members recused themselves prior to the vote; the council president then directed the clerk to hold the roll and the resolution passed. (Transcript: recusal motion and subsequent vote recorded.)

- Bond resolutions and capital financing: The council approved a resolution authorizing the mayor to issue a bond up to $1,650,000 to finance construction, reconstruction and improvement of certain Board of Public Utilities facilities. The council also approved a bond resolution related to construction of a new pump station with an amount read into the record as "27,643,370 or $47 and no cents aggregate principle"; that figure was read from the agenda text during the meeting.

- Safe Streets for All action plan contract: The council authorized the mayor to enter a contract with Stantec Inc. to draft the city’s Safe Streets for All (SS4A) action plan, using Federal Highway Administration funds, for an amount not to exceed $275,000; the council voted to approve that contract.

- Public‑safety equipment purchase: The council authorized the mayor and deputy fire chief to enter an agreement with Firematic Supply Company for 32 MSA model G1 self‑contained breathing apparatuses and associated equipment for a total amount not to exceed $329,944.22, with funding noted from the Assistance to Firefighters Grant.

- Sewer slip‑lining and storm‑sewer work: The council authorized an agreement with United Survey Inc. for sewer slip‑lining services for storm sewer work not to exceed $140,000.

- Jamestown Local Development Corporation loan: The council approved a JLDC loan to Monroe and Moore LLC in the amount of $350,000 at a 5% interest rate for a 20‑year term.

- CHIPS and winter recovery funding: The council accepted state Highway Improvement Program (CHIPS) and winter recovery funding in the amount read into the record as $802,800.69.

- Other contracts and purchases: The council authorized a contract with Pioneer Production Services LLC for production of "Viewpoint with Dennis Quaid" not to exceed $30,000; procurement of a regular cab hook truck from Jewel Basil, Inc., for an amount read as not to exceed $69,464; and several smaller purchases and project contracts reflected on the agenda. The council also approved updates to Jamestown City Code section 2‑19 pertaining to quality‑of‑life ticketing (language and implementation details were presented as a resolution).

- Local law and procedural items: The council introduced Local Law No. 1 of 02/2025 (a local law authorizing a property tax levy in excess of the statutory limit) and automatically tabled it for one month, per the meeting procedure. The council also voted to suspend rules and approved multiple mayoral appointments to boards and commissions.

Council members who sponsored or presented resolutions included Councilman Faulkner (finance resolutions), Councilman Sheldon (public‑safety and equipment purchases), and Councilwoman Bracknell (public‑works hiring suspension to fill an engineering aide position), among others. The clerk called the roll for each resolution; for many items the transcript records an affirmative roll call and multiple council members saying “Aye.”

In remarks after the votes, one council member urged regional discussion of consolidating municipal services — including police services — to address rising costs and legacy liabilities. The member referenced high tax increases reported in nearby municipalities and said consolidation conversations should involve mayors, town supervisors and union leaders.

The meeting adjourned after the council completed its agenda and a brief set of commission reports and announcements.

Votes at a glance (items explicitly recorded in the meeting text): - Approval of appointments (multiple): approved (voice/roll calls recorded). - Resolution authorizing payment of regular audit: approved. - Pioneer Production Services LLC contract (≤ $30,000): approved. - Bond resolution for Board of Public Utilities (≤ $1,650,000): approved. - Bond resolution for new pump station (amount read in record): approved. - JLDC loan to Monroe and Moore LLC ($350,000, 5%, 20‑year): approved. - Update to Jamestown City Code 2‑19 (quality‑of‑life ticketing): approved. - Fire equipment purchase (32 MSA G1 SCBAs, ≤ $329,944.22, Assistance to Firefighters Grant funding): approved. - Safe Streets for All plan contract with Stantec Inc. (≤ $275,000, FHWA funds): approved. - United Survey Inc. sewer slip lining (≤ $140,000): approved. - CHIPS/winter recovery funding acceptance (≈ $802,800.69): approved. - Collective bargaining agreement with Kendall Club police union (2025–2028): approved; several council members recused before the vote.

The meeting record and roll calls are part of the official minutes; specific roll‑call tallies and full motion text appear on the council agenda and in the city clerk’s certified record of the meeting.