City Operations

CITY OPERATIONS Tuesday, October 21, 2025 – 7:15 p.m. Council Chambers – Olean Municipal Building Present: Members: Chairman Bennion, Vice Chairman Anastasia, Alderman Keary, Alderman Crawford, and Alderman McCall. Others: Alderman Forney; Alderman Robinson; Mayor William Aiello; Lens Martial, City Clerk; James Sprague, Director of Public Works, and Tiffany Taylor, Managerial Confidential Administrative Secretary. 1. Roll Call Alderman Bennion called the meeting to order at 7:15 p.m. and asked that the record show that all committee members were present. 2. Approval of Minutes of the Previous Committee Meeting (Tuesday, October 7, 2025) A motion to approve the minutes of the October 7, 2025 meeting was made by Alderman Bennion, seconded by Alderman Keary. Voice vote, ayes all. Motion carried. 3. Unfinished Business a. Visibility / Sight Lines on Divided Streets Alderman Bennion explained this is mainly regarding the median on North Union Street. Director Sprague explained the State specifies we need to prune between 3 feet and 7 feet while the City code states 2 ½ feet to 8 feet. He explained the hanging baskets hace been removed, and he needs to map the locations of poles that have been removed. He explained he feels these are the big bad issue with tree trimming second. He explained they will be moving forward with lifting trees, which is delicate because they are relatively young trees. He explained an arborist would rather wait but for public safety he would err on the side of pruning them a bit earlier. He explained before last Friday’s ribbon cutting crews were pulling weeds from the median in front of the Municipal Building and they found the tall ornamental grasses are placed strategically so they do not interfere with visibility. He explained he feels it is more a lack of maintenance that has allowed it to become a more dangerous situation. He explained continual maintenance will be something he will be folding into his budget requests and will be having discussions regarding this at the beginning of next year. Alderman Bennion asked when an arborist would want to see the trees cut, and Director Sprague explained it is mainly for aesthetics. He explained it does not have anything to do with damaging the trees and can make them look like a lollipop when they are lifted so young. He explained there is one employee who is an experienced tree maintainer and he will try to get him there to find the middle ground. Alderman Robinson asked if 3 to 7 feet matches City policy and Alderman Bennion explained that is the State policy, and he will be putting in a PL to change the City code to match the State requirements. 4. New Referrals for Consideration a. Gemini Drive / Sunrise Drive, Stardust Lane / Sunrise Drive Alderman Bennion explained a resident reached out who has an issue with cars who do not see the road ending due to the incline of the road and then drive through the T-intersection into their yard. He explained the question is how to stop this and he believes the installation of stop signs or a directional arrow would help. Director Sprague explained stop signs are a true traffic control device, and there should be stop signs as these are very clearly T-intersections. HE explained we can put in other warning signs as we see fit. Alderman Bennion asked what he recommends, and Director Sprague explained he recommends the stop signs with warning signs for the stop signs, considering the steep terrain, would be appropriate. He explained he would put the stop signs up first and see if anything additional is needed later on. Alderman Bennion explained it is a relatively short street, and Director Sprague explained this is a relatively secluded position in the City and a vast majority of drivers are local, so they will learn quickly that the signs are there. Alderman Bennion explained he will be putting in a PL for stop signs. Alderman Crawford asked if there have been any accidents or near misses due to this, and Alderman Bennion explained the resident has issues with cars driving on their property, and noted their house sits close to the roadway. 5. Committee Reports None 6. Adjournment A motion to adjourn was made by Alderman Bennion, seconded by Alderman McCall. Voice vote, ayes all. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at approximately 7:30 p.m.