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No City Workers To Be Laid Off This Year

Despite challenging financial times because of the COVID-19 pandemic, no city of Jamestown employees will be laid off this year.

On Monday, Jamestown Mayor Eddie Sundquist announced during a Jamestown City Council work session meeting that city officials will not have to implement phase two or three of its COVID-19 Financial Restructuring Plan, which could have potentially laid off 30 workers.

In June, phase one of the COVID-19 Financial Restructuring Plan was approved by the Jamestown City Council, which cut $1,155,674 from the 2020 budget. These cuts included a $100,000 budget reallocation from the Jamestown Urban Renewal Agency to the city because of additional funding the city has received through the CARES Act; a $100,000 savings through the Public Works Department central garage; a $289,000 savings in Public Work Department streets; a $251,000 savings in the Parks Department; and a $310,187 savings in overall benefits.

Sundquist said because of the implementation of phase one cuts to this year’s budget and little employee overtime has led to cost savings that will prevent city employees from being laid off this year.

“Because of the work done early on … it saved us for sure from having to layoff any employees,” Sundquist said. “We do not have to go to phase two.”

Phase two in the COVID-19 Financial Restructuring Plan proposed a cut of $228,044 in the budget with the possibility of 20 city employees being laid off, which would approximately be two to five workers in each department. Phase three cuts would have saved $54,292, calling for the possibility of 10 more employees being laid off across all departments.

In other business, Anthony Dolce, council president, said the city will not be setting Halloween trick-or-treating hours this year because of the COVID-19 pandemic. He said city officials are discouraging social gatherings, however, the decision to let children trick-or-treat will be left to parents.

“We urge residents to continue to use safe practices when interacting with other people including wearing face coverings and social distancing at least six feet. We also encourage parents to understand and respect the wishes of residents who do not feel comfortable answering doors,” Dolce said.

The council’s Public Safety Committee approved its second parklet for the Labyrinth Press Co. and Brazil Craft Beer and Wine Lounge, both businesses are located along East Fourth Street. Crystal Surdyk, city development director, said city officials reviewed the proposed site last week and plans for the parklet. She recommended the parklet to be approved by the Public Safety Committee.

Surdyk said that the owners, including Jeff James who attended the meeting, would like to construct and install the parklet this year even though it will be uninstalled at the end of the month. The new city parklet program only allows for the platforms installed on parking spots to be available from April 1 to Oct. 31.

Surdyk also announced to the council that a job fair and food truck rally will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday in the parking lot of the former Jimmy’s Family Restaurant in Brooklyn Square. She said there will be three food trucks in attendance.

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