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Jamestown council hears update on EPA grant, vacant-property vandalism and housing inspections
Summary
City staff updated the council on an EPA-funded effort and state reviews tied to housing electrification, reported that nine of 19 homes were identified for a quality-assurance project, described shelter capacity and no recent code-blue incidents, and raised concerns about trespassing and theft at condemned properties.
Council members received an update on a federally funded environmental grant and several housing-related matters during the Jan. 6 work session.
City staff member Crystal said the EPA grant discussed in a prior meeting is moving into implementation and that a quality assurance project plan must be prepared. Staff have identified nine of 19 homes as candidates for that quality-assurance component. Crystal said New York State will participate through its historic-preservation review and that the state will work with CREC on environmental review; staff characterized the work as part of a statewide electrification initiative.
Council members also discussed homelessness and sheltering. Council members said local shelters can house about 35 people and that staff had not reported any recent code-blue incidents on the call list; the council said shelters have so far not been maxed out during the coldest nights.
Members raised problems at condemned and vacant properties, describing increased trespassing and theft. Council members and staff used the term "urban mining" to describe break-ins for copper and appliance parts, and said Jamestown Police Department has responded to such calls. Members reported some vandalism and concerns that vacant properties are being used for drug activity.
On housing inspections and Land Bank activity, a council member said the Land Bank is preparing an updated demolition list, with several demos in progress but no total number provided in the meeting. The council said the county-led inspection team moving into city hall will coordinate with the city's rental inspection program to reduce redundancy. The planning commission is preparing housing initiatives and is expected to present a proposal at the council's February work session.
No formal actions (votes or ordinances) on these housing items were recorded in the work session transcript.
