The city’s Department of Public Works has received two separate requests for modifications to the alternate parking rules on two streets in the city, and city council is set to have resolutions regarding these changes come before them at tonight’s meeting.

The first request looks to change the area of Pearl Avenue from Ensign Street to the dead end from alternate-side parking to one-side-only parking. The city council agenda notes that Pearl Avenue residents have requested the change, and as the street ends in a dead end it will not hamper snow-clearing operations.

Pursuant to § 290-28 of the City Code, requests to modify the Alternate Parking Ordinance

may be considered by the Department of Public Works Committee, the Public Safety Committee, and ultimately by the City Council. The Director of Public Works is responsible for investigating requests and obtaining recommendations from the Chief of Police/Director of Public Safety and the Deputy Fire Chief before a committee recommendation is made.

The second request asks to modify Chandler Street from Center Street to Cross Street from one-side-only parking to alternate-side parking. According to the council agenda, this section previously had pedestrian bump outs, which were removed as part of a recent construction project. Employees of the nearby senior center have also experienced difficulty finding parking during designated maintenance days under the one-side-only restriction. Conversion to alternate-side parking will improve flexibility and alleviate these issues.

The recommendation for both modifications and resolutions stated in the agenda is that the Department of Public Works Committee review and act on this request, and upon receipt of recommendations from the Chief of Police/Director of Public Safety and the Deputy Fire Chief, forward its recommendation to the Public Safety Committee in accordance with § 290-28(D).

Also on the agenda for tonight’s meeting is a resolution for the city to consider adopting in regards to The Energy Choice Act, introduced by Congressman Nick Langworthy at the federal level. This act comes following the state’s Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act that was introduced in 2019, along with the 2023 budget provisions that will prohibit natural gas hookups in new buildings starting in 2026 for smaller structures and 2029 for larger ones. Langworthy’s introduced act looks to preserve local flexibility in energy decisions.

The council agenda says that the state requirement may affect housing, affordability and economic activity in Jamestown, and the proposed resolution highlights these state and federal actions and affirms that maintaining flexibility in energy options supports reliability, affordability, and economic stability while continuing to advance long-term clean energy objectives. This resolution affirms the City of Jamestown’s commitment to affordable and reliable energy access, acknowledges the potential impacts of state energy policy on the community, and encourages state and federal leaders to preserve flexibility in local energy options.

The council’s work session begins at 7:30 p.m. tonight in the police training room on the fourth floor of city hall. Council committees meet before the work session. The Housing Committee meets at 6:30 p.m. in the police training room with the Finance Committee at 7 p.m. in the mayor’s fourth floor conference room, the Public Safety Committee in the police training room at 7 p.m. and the Public Works Committee in the Development Department conference room at 7 p.m.