The Jamestown City Council is pictured Monday evening. P-J photo by Katrina Fuller

Marie Carrubba addressed the Jamestown City Council and members of the public Monday regarding comments she had made about the upcoming Los Contrincantes Car Club and Bike Crew show.

At the previous work session, the council heard from various members of the public regarding the car show, and council members also commented on the situation, including Carrubba.

“The common thread of complaints I’ve received from Ward 4 residents all summer long concerned noise — noise of all types, including barking dogs, motorcycles, loud cars and fireworks, and they are frustrated by the intrusion,” said Carrubba, who represents Ward 4 in the city. “At this point in time, residents are concerned about any additional sound that raises the volume in their neighborhoods. A recent check with the police department indicated that 738 noise complaints have been received from January 1, 2021, through noon on August 30, 2021.”

Carruba said it had been brought to her attention that she had offended some people with her “description of the car show,” and mentioned it “was not her intent” to do so.

“I would like to apologize,” she said. “The words I used, however, were those of Mr. Sanchez from the soundcheck at Bergman Park as he tried to explain to me the difference between a classic car show and the Sept. 18 car stereo competition, the essence of which is to produce a louder sound than your competitor.”

Carrubba said she was previously unfamiliar with car stereo competitions but now has been educated on the matter and understands.

“I would especially like to thank Councilmember Russell for reaching out to me so that we could find a way to make this event work for everyone, work for our residents and I greatly appreciate your efforts and wish to thank you and the members of the public safety committee,” she said.

The council did not take up the matter of the Los Contricantes Car Club and Bike Crew show during the meeting.

However, a resident did comment on the show and other issues during the public comment portion of the meeting. Amy Holland, a city resident, said she had previously addressed the council regarding the unsafe speeds of cars and motorcycles in her neighborhood. She said the concerns over the noise include the upcoming car show at Bergman Park, but had been assured that club members will be enforcing safety and noise guidelines. However, Holland said she understands these guidelines could be difficult to administer.

“And I also realize the difficulty in enforcing the behavior of those in attendance, which has led me to speak again on this issue, as I understand it may be part of tonight’s voting session,” she said. “Let me clearly state that I support the club’s desire and right to hold this event. I believe our city and neighborhoods are stronger when a diversity of people, cultures and opinions is welcomed and celebrated. I had hoped for a win-win solution, which from my perspective, would have been to provide an alternate location that could best accommodate the noise of the car competitions and the volume of the expected visitors.”

Holland said to her knowledge, that has not occurred. She said she supports the club’s ability to hold the event but does not support Bergman Park as the venue.

“At this late date, and given the ongoing promotion of the event, I do not anticipate a change in the location,” she said. “I’m here tonight to ask the council to vote on measures that would place conditions on those noise competitions and the number of admitted vehicles to mitigate noise and traffic concerns for those in the Bergman Park ward.”

Holland also asked the council to consider taking action to “reduce the everyday nose, speed and safety concerns” within residential areas, including fireworks which can poorly impact those with mental or physical health conditions.

In other news, the council approved a measure accepting the offer of Kurt Johnson, owner of Shawbucks in Jamestown, for the purchase of a parcel of land in downtown Jamestown. The property will be used to build a deck on the current Shawbucks building. Previously, Johnson told The Post-Journal that the deck will be used for additional restaurant seating.

Johnson’s offer of $1,000 was accepted by the council unanimously.

The council also approved a resolution that repeals the $100 administrative fee for housing court. The fee has been identified by the Unified Court System as a “second punishment” for those going through the housing court system, and also makes it difficult to institute other penalities. The measure was passed unanimously.