Residents urge stronger enforcement of Jamestown codes, say tenants bear brunt of neglect

Residents used the public-comment period at Monday’s Jamestown City Council work session to press the city to enforce housing and public-rights rules, saying tenants—not owners—often suffer when properties are neglected.

"It's the tenants that suffered behind these absentee landlords neglect," said Oval of 212 Fulton Street, describing a property that was condemned after roof repairs were done without permits. Oval quoted city code provisions on disposal and sidewalk maintenance and asked the council to apply those rules rather than leaving residents to bear the consequences.

Another resident, Larry Kum of 215 Fulton Street, described a long-delayed permit for a 10-by-10 balcony he said was due Jan. 10, 2025, and said the expired work has constrained his family's access to a rear exit. "We literally had to go out front," Kum said, describing the inconvenience to his household.

Speakers asked the council to enforce existing provisions, citing code language allowing the director of public works to remove rubbish left on a public alley or highway and to charge the owner for cleanup. Oval also urged clearer enforcement of sidewalk snow-removal rules, saying complaints are closed when snow melts and not reopened unless another incident occurs.

During the same public-comment block, a resident asked the city to improve livestream audio and to provide transcripts or better microphones so posted videos are easier to hear.

The council did not take immediate formal action during the public-comment period. Several of the complaints were relayed to staff and committee members for follow-up during committee reports.