The Mayoral Transition Team is a voluntary committee designed to create a community conversation on the Mayor’s priorities, evaluate current city operations, and provide suggestions and recommendations for immediate and long-term goals ensuring a smooth transition from one administration to the next.

Top Community Priorities for 2020:

1. Creating a City for the Future [Economic Development]
2. Strengthening Housing Initiatives and Supporting our Neighborhoods [Housing & Public Safety]
3. Tackling Financial Burdens [Fiscal Stability & Gov’t Organization]

Our team is lead by Chairman Thomas Benson.  Questions on the transition team, or recommendation for appointments to the following boards and commissions may be forwarded to  [email protected]

Available Boards and Commissions: 

ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS

The Zoning Board of Appeals is comprised of seven (7) members who are appointed by the Mayor of the City of Jamestown and confirmed by the Jamestown City Council for a three (3) year term.  The Zoning Board of Appeals meets on the first Wednesday of each month at 3:30 P.M. in the city Council Chambers.

The Zoning Board of Appeals is a quasi-judicial board, which is authorized to grant variances to the Zoning Ordinance, issue Special Permits and make interpretations of the zoning regulations. 

BOARD OF ASSESSMENT REVIEW

The Board of Assessment Review is comprised of five (5) members who are appointed and confirmed by the Jamestown City Council for a five (5) year term.  The Board of Assessment Review meets once per year at the end of May. 

The Board of Assessment Review is a quasi-judicial body in accordance with Section 525 of the Real Property Tax Law that meets to review all petitions received from property owners who consider their property assessment to be too high.  At the conclusion of their review, the Board votes to determine if the assessment should remain the same or be lowered.  If the property owner is dissatisfied with the decision, they have the opportunity to seek assistance through a judicial review. 

BOARD OF ELECTRICAL EXAMINERS

The Board of Electrical Examiners is comprised of five (5) members who meet on the second Tuesday of each month.  The members include two (2) citizens, one (1) with ten years continuous experience in the electrical contracting business and employing one (1) or more journeymen electricians and one (1) electrician with ten years continuous experience installing electrical work who are appointed by the Mayor of the City of Jamestown and confirmed by the Jamestown City Council for a two (2) year term; the City of Jamestown Building Inspector by virtue of office; the General Manager of the Board of Public Utilities by virtue of office and the Fire Chief by virtue of office.  

The Board of Electrical Examiners enforces Section 131 of the Jamestown City Code and the National Electrical Code; reviews the qualifications of all applicants who apply for City of Jamestown Class I and II Electrical Licenses and oversees the testing process of those applicants; reviews the performance of the licensed electricians; holds public hearings regarding complaints against any electrical contractor and renders a decision; and makes recommendations to the Jamestown City Council regarding changes that need to be made to the Jamestown City Code.

BOARD OF PUBLIC UTILITIES

The Board of Public Utilities was established by the Jamestown City Charter in 1923 and is comprised of nine (9) members who meet on two Tuesdays each month.  The members consist of five (5) citizen members who are appointed by the Mayor of the City of Jamestown and confirmed by the Jamestown City Council for either a four (4) or a two (2) year term; the Mayor of the City of Jamestown by virtue of office and the Director of Public Works by virtue of office and two (2) members of the Jamestown City Council who are appointed by the Mayor of the City of Jamestown.  The Mayor of the City of Jamestown serves as President of the Board.  

The Board of Public Utilities oversees the operation of the Electric, Water, District Heating, Solid Waste and Sanitary Sewer Systems for the City of Jamestown.

JAMESTOWN HOUSING AUTHORITY

The Jamestown Housing Authority is comprised of five (5) members who are appointed by the Mayor of the City of Jamestown and confirmed by the Jamestown City Council for a five (5) year term and two (2) tenant representatives from the Hi-Rise and Hotel Jamestown who are chosen from among their membership. The Jamestown Housing Authority meets on fourth Thursday of each month. 

The Jamestown Housing Authority is a municipal housing authority created by an act of the New York State Legislature under Title 38, Section 441 of the Public Housing Law for the accomplishment of any or all of the purposes specified in article eighteen of the Constitution of the State of New York.  It oversees the individuals who reside in the Hi-Rise located on West Fifth Street and the Hotel Jamestown Building located on West Third Street.

HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION

The Human Rights Commission is comprised of twelve (12) members who are appointed by the Mayor of the City of Jamestown and confirmed by the Jamestown City Council for a three (3) year term. The Human Rights Commission meets on the second Monday of each month. 

In accordance with Article 12-D of the General Municipal Law, the Human Rights Commission:

1. Fosters mutual respect and understanding among all racial, religious and nationality groups in the community.
2. Makes such studies in any field of human relationships in the community, as in it judgment will aid in effectuating its general purposes.
3. Inquires into incidents of tension and conflict among or between various racial, religious and nationality groups and to take such action as may be designed to alleviate such tension and conflict.
4. Conducts and recommends such educational programs as in its judgment will increase good will among inhabitants of the community and open new opportunities into all phases of community life for all inhabitants.

JAMESTOWN URBAN RENEWAL AGENCY

The Jamestown Urban Renewal Agency is comprised of one (1) member who is appointed by the Mayor of the City of Jamestown and confirmed by the Jamestown City Council for a four (4) year term, a Planning Commission member who is appointed by the Mayor of the City of Jamestown and confirmed by the Jamestown City Council for a four (4) year term, the Mayor of the City of Jamestown who shall be Chairman by virtue of office, the Chief Fiscal Officer of the City of Jamestown by virtue of office and the Jamestown City Council President by virtue of office. The Jamestown Urban Renewal Agency meets on the second Monday of each month.

The Jamestown Urban Renewal Agency (JURA) is an independent corporate governmental agency established by the laws of the State of New York in 1966.  It is the responsibility of JURA to obtain funding for and implement a variety of programs and activities to address the city’s public safety and community/economic development objectives including housing code enforcement and rehabilitation, neighborhood preservation and improvement, community planning and economic development.

PARKS, RECREATION AND CONSERVATION COMMISSION

The Parks, Recreation and Conservation Commission is comprised of ten (10) members who are appointed by the Mayor of the City of Jamestown and confirmed by the Jamestown City Council for a five (5) year term, two Jamestown City Council Members who are appointed by the Mayor of the City of Jamestown and confirmed by the Jamestown City Council.  Ex-Officio members include the Mayor of the City of Jamestown by virtue of office, a Jamestown Board of Education Representative and a Planning Commission Representative.  The Parks, Recreation and Conservation Commission meet on the first Tuesday of each month at 5:00 P.M.

The Parks, Recreation and Conservation Commission was created to construct, maintain and operate all public parks and recreational facilities and to conserve the environment of the City of Jamestown.  This includes but is not limited to:

• Management and care of parks,
• Acquire, construct, install and maintain recreational facilities and other recreational property,
• Arrange, provide, operate and conduct public recreation programs,
• Care for shade trees of the City,
• Regulate user fees,
• Advise City Council on matters pertaining to the Chadakoin River, and other environmental factors.

RIVERFRONT MANAGEMENT COUNCIL

The Riverfront Management Council is comprised of twelve (12) members, three (3) members including a City Council member shall be current members of the Parks, Recreation and Conservation Commission; the Chairman of the Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy, the Chairman of the Roger Tory Peterson Institute, the Chairman of the Audubon Society, a Representative from Jamestown High School and three student representatives from Jamestown High School who are appointed by the Mayor of the City of Jamestown for a five (5) year term.  The Riverfront Management Council meets at the call of the chair.

This Riverfront Management Council is under the jurisdiction and control of the Parks, Recreation and Conservation Commission.  Powers and duties affecting the environment shall be effectuated by this Council, including:

• Advise the City Council on all matters involving the reclamation, preservation, utilization, development, public access and management of the Chadakoin River within the City of Jamestown, and all other matters affecting the environment,
• Maintain communications with the public and agencies whose programs impact the quality of the environment.

PLANNING COMMISSION

The Planning Commission is comprised of seven (7) members, five (5) citizens and two (2) city officers who are appointed by the Mayor of the City of Jamestown and confirmed by the Jamestown City Council for a five (5) year term and a City Council Liaison who is recommended by the President of the Jamestown City Council.  The Planning Commission meets on the Third Tuesday of each month at 3:30 P.M. in the Mayor’s Conference Room.  The Planning Commission receives its authority through §§ 26 through 39 of the General City Law.

The Planning Commission performs two basic functions; first, as the recommending body for long-range planning, the Planning Commission makes recommendations through the formation of goals and objectives in the development of a Comprehensive Plan; and second, as the mechanism for the approval of site-plan reviews in accordance with the City of Jamestown Zoning Ordinance. 

PLUMBING BOARD

The Examining Board of Plumbers is comprised of five (5) members who meet on the first Tuesday of each month at 7:30 AM in the Plumbing Inspector’s Office.  The members include three (3) citizens, two (2) Master Plumbers and one (1) Journeyman Plumber who are appointed by the Mayor of the City of Jamestown and confirmed by the Jamestown City Council for a three (3) year term; the Plumbing Inspector by virtue of office and the General Manager of the Board of Public Utilities by virtue of office. 

The Examining Board of Plumbers reviews the qualifications and determines the eligibility of all applicants who apply for City of Jamestown Master and/or Journeyman plumber licenses, oversees the testing process of those applicants and along with the Plumbing Inspector implement the Plumbing Code in order to insure that the City of Jamestown is in compliance with New York State and local plumbing codes.

PROPERTY REHABILITATION AND CONSERVATION BOARD OF APPEALS

The Property, Rehabilitation and Conservation Board of Appeals is comprised of nine (9) members who are appointed by the Mayor of the City of Jamestown and confirmed by the Jamestown City Council for a three (3) year term.  The Property, Rehabilitation and Conservation Board of Appeals meets on an as needed basis when an application is submitted.

In accordance with Section 215-61(C) of the Jamestown City Code authorizes The Property, Rehabilitation and Conservation Board of Appeals to vary or modify the application of any of the provisions of the Property, Rehabilitation and Conservation Code when strict enforcement would result in practical difficulties or unnecessary hardship.

STRATEGIC PLANNING AND PARTNERSHIPS COMMISSION

The Strategic Planning and Partnerships Commission is comprised of thirteen (13) members, two (2) of which are appointed by the Mayor of the City of Jamestown and confirmed by the Jamestown City Council for a five (5) year term, the Mayor of the City of Jamestown by virtue of office, the Chairman of the Jamestown City Council Public Safety Committee by virtue of office, a Minority Member of the Jamestown City Council who is appointed by the Mayor of the City of Jamestown, the Superintendent of the Jamestown Public Schools, the Chairman of the Board of Public Utilities, the President of Jamestown Community College, the Chief Executive Officer of WCA Hospital, a representative of the Jamestown Area Chamber of Commerce, the President of the Jamestown Area Labor Council and the Chairman of the Manufacturers Association of the Jamestown Area.  The Strategic Planning and Partnerships Commission meets on the first Wednesday of each month at 8:00 A.M. in the Mayor’s Conference Room.

The Strategic Planning and Partnerships Commission was created to continuously consider, develop and make recommendations for strategic initiatives to the Jamestown City Council and other organizations within the greater Jamestown area with respect to issues involving economics, the quality-of-life, equity and opportunity and to develop and establish community-wide goals and objectives for the future.  In the development and making of its recommendations, the Strategic Planning and Partnerships Commission shall utilize as resources the departments of the City of Jamestown, the Chautauqua County Industrial Development Agency, public and private housing and development organizations, private enterprise and the Metro Six which is comprise of the City of Jamestown, Town of Ellicott, Town of Busti, Village of Falconer, Village of Celoron and Village of Lakewood. 

JAMESTOWN LOCAL DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION

The Jamestown Local Development Corporation is a not-for-profit corporation that was created by the Jamestown City Council in April 1981 that meets on a monthly or as needed basis.  The Corporation consists of five (5) citizen members; three who represent the Jamestown Area Chamber of Commerce, Downtown Jamestown Development Corporation and the Manufacturers Association of the Jamestown Area and two (2) At-Large representatives appointed by the JLDC Board one (1) who represents presents the Labor community, one (1) who represents the Business Community and the following individuals, the Mayor of the City of Jamestown by virtue of office, the Chairman of the Jamestown City Council Finance Committee by virtue of office, the President of the Jamestown City Council by virtue of office and a member of the Jamestown City Council that is the recommendation of the Mayor.

The Jamestown Local Development Corporation provides low interest loans as an inducement to new or established companies to achieve the public purpose of creating and maintaining jobs throughout the City of Jamestown.

CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT PARKING ADVISORY BOARD

The Central Business District Parking Advisory Board is comprised of nine (9) members who are appointed by the Mayor of the City of Jamestown and confirmed by the Jamestown City Council for a three (3) year term.  The members shall be representative of the various interests within the community and government, specifically the central business district.  The Central Business District Parking Advisory Board meets on the fourth Thursday of each month at 8:30 A.M. in the Mayor’s Conference Room.

The Central Business District Parking Advisory Board shall provide the City Administration and Jamestown City Council with guidance, input and recommendations for short and long term planning, general policies and goals-objectives with respect to the public parking facilities within the central business district. 

VETERANS MEMORIAL COMMISSION

The Veterans Memorial Commission is comprised of nine (9) members who are appointed by the Mayor of the City of Jamestown and confirmed by the Jamestown City Council for a three (3) year term.  The members shall be residents of Chautauqua County and shall be nominated by virtue of their active membership in one of the Chautauqua County veteran’s organizations or shall be private citizens who are interested in supporting the activities of veteran’s affairs in the City of Jamestown.  The Veterans Memorial Commission meets on fourth Monday of each month at 7:00 P.M. in the Mayor’s Conference Room.

It is the duty and responsibility of the Veterans Memorial Commission to oversee the preservation, maintenance and further development of the Veterans Memorial that is located on Tracy Plaza, the ongoing upgrade and maintenance of the Veterans Memorial multimedia program, the coordination, in cooperation with the United Veterans Council, regarding the scheduling of events at the Veterans Memorial located on Tracy Plaza and any and all other matters deemed appropriate by the Mayor and Jamestown City Council concerning the Veterans Memorial.