Negotiations could reopen soon between the city of Jamestown and Kendall Club Police Benevolent Association.

Eddie Sundquist, Jamestown mayor, told The Post-Journal that once his appointments for city department heads, especially corporation counsel, have been approved by the Jamestown City Council, he plans to restart discussions with the Jamestown Police Department’s union.

Sundquist’s appointments for city department heads were announced during his inauguration on Jan. 1. However, the Jamestown City Council isn’t slated to vote on the appointments until its regular voting meeting at 7:30 p.m. today on the second floor of the city Municipal Building, located at 200 E. Third St., Jamestown.

“No negotiations yet because (the council) hasn’t (approved my) appointments yet,” Sundquist said.

If Sundquist’s corporation council appointment (Elliot Raimondo) is approved by the council, discussions with the police department’s union can start. He said he has communicated with the union the desire to talk about the possibility of a new deal with the union.

“My intent is to talk to them,” Sundquist said.

Last April, the council approved appealing the arbitration panel decision made in 2018 in favor of the Jamestown Police Department union to the Fourth Department Appellate Division Court. The arbitration panel’s split decision called for a retroactive 2% pay increase for the police department employees in 2016-17

Sam Teresi, former Jamestown mayor, said last year if city officials don’t appeal the raises approved by the arbitration panel it would mean an $840,000 unbudgeted increase in salaries for the Kendall Club Police Benevolent Association employees. He said the ruling, if it stands, also “lays the groundwork” for a similar raise for members of the Jamestown Fire Department, who are in a similar situation as the police department union. He added that the arbitration panel ruling also doesn’t include possible retroactive salary increases for 2018 and 2019 as well.

Sundquist said the state Appellate Court is scheduled to hear the arbitration appeal in either March or April. He said because the process started before he took office, he will not stop the appeal of the arbitration panel’s ruling. However, he added that if between now and the time the case is heard by the Appellate Court there is an agreement between the city and the police union, the hearing will be called off.

“That will continue unless we reach an agreement,” he said.

To view the arbitration panel’s report, visit perb.ny.gov/compulsory-interest-arbitration-award-index/iaawards-18-19.