The Jamestown City Council approved revising sections 160 and 224 of the city code to remove glass from the list of mandatory recyclable materials and to alter the time for customers to place solid waste and recyclable materials at the curb from 6 p.m. to 4 p.m. Submitted photo

Jamestown Board of Public Utility customers are no longer required to recycle glass.

On Monday, the Jamestown City Council approved an ordinance to revise sections 160 and 224 of the city code to remove glass from the list of mandatory recyclable materials and to alter the time that customers are scheduled to place solid waste and recyclable materials at the curb. Currently the code states no earlier than 6 p.m., but the proposal would change the time to 4 p.m.

Tamu Graham-Reinhardt, At-Large councilwoman, was the only member of the council to vote against the proposal. She understands it will save the BPU money by not collecting glass, but feels it something BPU customers should still do.

“It’s disappointing the city is no longer collecting glass,’ she said.

Brent Sheldon, Ward 1 councilman, said people can still take their glass to the county transfer station in Falconer if they still want to recycle.

Earlier this month, David Leathers, BPU general manager, discussed the proposal that was requested by the BPU during a work session meeting of the council. He said in November the BPU approved an ordinance requesting that the council revise sections 160 and 224 of the city code. He added the BPU has received no complaints from residents about the elimination of glass as a recyclable. He said most people comment they want more recycling of plastic and cardboard.

In other business, the council also tabled a local law amending the city charter to establish a chief of police and fire chief. Currently, the city has a chief of police, who also serves as the public safety director, and a deputy fire chief.

Prior to tabling the resolution, Marie Carrubba, Ward 4 councilwoman, and Kim Ecklund, At-Large councilwoman, had questions about how the change will impact the people in the two positions financially. Also, Carrubba said city public safety operations have run smoothly with a public safety director and doesn’t understand why the change is necessary.

Ryan Thompson, city comptroller, said the police chief does receive an additional $7,500 stipend for being the public safety director. Jamestown Mayor Eddie Sundquist said city officials are working on a plan to possibly change the salary ranges in the city’s management guidelines in the future. He said the possible changes would include adjusting the police chief’s salary to account for the loss of the $7,500 stipend.

Victoria James, Ward 3 councilwoman, said the local law should be tabled because of the questions regarding the proposed local law change. The council approved tabling the local law, with Grant Olson, Ward 5, being the only “No” vote.

The council approved authorizing the mayor to sign any documents related to submitting a 2021 New York Main Street grant. Earlier this month, Crystal Surdyk, city development director, told the council city officials would like to apply for the grant, with the award being up to $500,000 in funding that would go toward upgrading the East Second Street corridor between Main and Institute streets and First and Second streets. She said grant funding is usually awarded during the state Regional Economic Development Council Consolidated Funding Application (CFA) process. However, because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the CFA process didn’t occur this year. Because the funding wasn’t awarded earlier this year, state officials are carrying out a special round. She added the grant application is due by Jan. 15.

“We’re working with building owners to identify rehab projects and projects that will contribute to that corridor,” she said. “There is an opportunity to invest in buildings throughout that corridor.”

Surdyk told The Post-Journal the city’s urban design plan details that this section of the city is included in the arts and culture district.

“With the Reg Lenna (Center for the Arts) close by on Third Street, and the (Lucille Ball) Little Theatre and Infinity (Visual and Performing Arts) on Second Street, we are looking at what other things are going on there,” she said. “What other businesses are there. What other opportunities there are. We want to use the grant as a kicking off point, if we receive it, to reinvest in those properties throughout the area.”

Surdyk said it’s a matching grant, so building owners will have to make an initial investment. However, she said the money invested by building owners will eventually be reimbursed.

“We are looking at building stabilization and ways to not only stabilize, but also enhance,” she said. “We’re looking at facade work and helping property owners find tenants for first floor business space.”

Surdyk said the Jamestown Renaissance Corp. and Frank Besse, JRC urban core director, is assisting the city in reaching out to building owners along East Second Street to inform them about the grant and the opportunity available.

“If (the building owner) is willing to reinvest, the grant will help give them the support they need,” she said. “There is a lot of potential there. The grant will help us get started on the revitilization.”

Surdyk said building owners in the East Second Street target area can contact the city at 483-7659 for more information about the grant.