The Jamestown City Council approved a personnel agreement with the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, or AFSCME. Additionally, resolutions for the mayor's $12.65 million investment plan and the sale of city property to later become a Dollar General store were approved Monday. P-J photo by Jordan W. Patterson

The Jamestown City Council locked in its third collective bargaining group under contract through 2021.

The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, or AFSCME, and city officials agreed to terms of a personnel agreement that was approved at the meeting.

Additionally, the council approved Mayor Sam Teresi’s $12.65 million capital investment plan and the sale of city property that will be used to create a Dollar General store on Winsor and Crescent streets. Each resolution was approved by the council at Monday’s meeting.

PERSONNEL AGREEMENT

The AFSCME agreement retroactively covers the period from Jan. 1, 2019 through Dec. 31, 2021. AFSCME members were previously without a contract since the previous one expired at the end of last year.

Describing it as a “landmark agreement,” Teresi praised the efforts of the city and AFSCME for coming to terms.

The agreement includes 2% salary increases for the years 2020 and 2021.

As for the introduction of a new “hybrid” healthcare plan, Teresi said AFSCME members will pay higher deductibles, but less “out-of-pocket” costs. The insurance plan will be available on a volunteer basis to current members and retiree members.

“That may be very,very attractive to a lot of folks within the workforce that may not be as heavy or high a consumer of healthcare services as others,” Teresi said.

“We think that will be a win-win situation for both members of the bargaining unit and also a cost saver for the city tax payers.”

Any new employees as of Jan. 1, 2020 will only be offered the new, hybrid plan, Teresi said.

The council previously approved contract of two other bargaining units of the Jamestown City Administrative Association, or JCAA, in July. That contract was retroactive to 2017 and continues through 2021. However, no salary increases were included for 2017, 2018 and 2019 in the terms of the agreement. Although, the two bargaining units will receive a 2% pay increase in 2020 and 2021.

Teresi noted that with the most recent agreement coming on the heels of the previous, July agreement, it was proof these agreements “can be done (and) that people can work together.” The union previously ratified the agreement ahead of the council’s approval.

Now, with AFSCME members under contract, three bargaining units remain without a new contract agreement. Those groups include the Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) local 1000, the Kendall Club Police Benevolent Association and the Jamestown Professional Firefighters Association IAFF Local 137.

Teresi said bringing the other bargaining units under contract was on a “bucket list” of items he wants to see completed.

“It’s a fair agreement for all,” said Councilman Tony Dolce.

INVESTMENT PLAN

The council approved a reduced investment plan that Teresi announced in September. The plan has since been reduced from a planned $12.9 million to $12.65 million. The changes specifically impact the Board of Public Utilities category that saw reductions.

Teresi previously said the capital investment plan is meant to be a proactive way to replace vehicles and equipment instead of waiting for emergency situations to occur, which leads city officials either paying for repairs or purchasing new products.

Councilman Andy Liuzzo was the sole member to dissent to the investment plan. He called for the resolution to be tabled until a new administration and new council was in office to take action on the plan.

“I am not saying to scrap this resolution. I’m not saying this is worthless because it’s not. It is viable,” Liuzzo said, “but what I am saying is this should not be burdened on the next administration and the next council.”

The terms of the council conclude Jan. 1 with only some running for re-election. Teresi is not seeking a sixth term as well.

Teresi, following the meeting, argued that the rationale to table the investment plan resolution for 90 days could be applied to any item on the agenda.

“What we’re doing is we’re being proactive, getting ahead of the curve and to spend smartly,” Teresi said.

He noted that while work will begin immediately in accordance to the plan, each item will need to be approved by city council beforehand.

DOLLAR GENERAL

A new Dollar General discount store will be built at the Winsor Street and Crescent Street corridor.

The sale, approved by the council, totaled $13,200 for the four parcels of land to be renovated later this year.

Vince DeJoy, city development director, said at a public hearing ahead of the sale’s approval that the project “will completely transform that neighborhood” that is otherwise considered a “significantly blighted area.”

Four parcels of land were sold to the Broadway Group, LLC, based out of Hunstville, Ala. The development company is known for building Dollar General and Auto Zone stores. Negotiations with the developer and demolition of the “blighted” buildings at the location were handled by the Jamestown Urban Renewal Agency.

Larry Barmore, a Gerry resident who owns property on Winsor Street, said at the public hearing that he was “ecstatic” and that the impending construction of the Dollar General was “great for the area.”

Dennis Phillips contributed to this story.