Public Safety

PUBLIC SAFETY Tuesday, September 2, 2025 – 6:00 p.m. Council Chambers – Olean Municipal Building Present: Members: Chairman Robinson, Vice Chairman Anastasia, Alderman Bennion, Alderman Forney, and Alderman McCall. Others: Mayor William Aiello; Lens Martial, City Auditor; James Sprague, Director of Public Works; Eric Maurouard, Fire Chief; Tiffany Taylor, Managerial Confidential Administrative Secretary, and Jerry Volz, Information Technology. 1. Roll Call Alderman Robinson called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. and asked that the record show that all committee members were present except Aldermen Keary and Crawford, who were excused. 2. Approval of Minutes of the Previous Committee Meetings (Tuesday, July 22, 2025) A motion to approve the minutes of the July 22, 2025 committee meeting was made by Alderman Robinson, seconded by Alderman Bennion. Voice vote, ayes all. Motion carried. 3. Unfinished Business a. Queen Street Railroad Pedestrian Crossing Lighting Director Sprague explained he sent a memo to the Council that described his hopeful approach to this issue. He explained he has received feedback from National Grid and they do have the lights we are looking to use and are willing to install them in a public place. He explained he has asked Mr. Kahm to move forward getting prices to install the lights, and hopefully we can get this done and have the lights on National Grid poles in the air on our tariff with the rest of our street lighting. Alderman McCall asked if that would illuminate 100% of the tunnel, and Director Sprague explained until we can get farther into it with National Grid he can’t answer this. He explained our goal is to get lighting through the entire tunnel. Alderman Bennion asked if we have followed up with the railroad on paying for this and Mayor Aiello explained he has not. Director Sprague explained he has not heard anything either and has not contacted them about this. He explained he did review the plans for the project and there is no internal lighting in the plans. Alderman Robinson asked if we have any documentation that states there would be lighting in the tunnel and Director Sprague explained he cannot say. Alderman Bennion explained a presentation was given that this would be an illuminated tunnel. Mayor Aiello explained as he had stated previously, a prior DPW Director signed off at the time the plans were done saying the lighting was not needed. Alderman Bennion explained he feels the railroad should pay for the lighting and explained he doesn’t know why it was stated the lighting was not needed. He explained anyone in their right mind would have said a dark tunnel that length is not good for public safety and the railroad should pay for it. Director Sprague explained regardless, we need the cost from National Grid and to hammer out the photometric details to see if the approach will light 100% of the tunnel. Alderman Robinson asked if, even though it was signed off on, we can find a way to put the cost off on the railroad. Mayor Aiello explained he will have to get into that with the railroad to see if they can cover the cost. Alderman Robinson asked about a follow up and Director Sprague explained in two weeks he will have succeeded talking to National Grid and will have some kind of update, although he is unsure if we will have the final cost at that time. Alderman Robinson asked if someone could reach out to the railroad and Mayor Aiello explained he can ask Ms. Kerper to bring this up at the next railroad board meeting. Alderman Anastasia asked if we could get Langworthy involved since the railroad is Federal, and Alderman Robinson explained it would be great if we could explain the situation to him and get something going. 4. New Referrals for Consideration None 5. Approval of Committee Reports None 6. Adjournment A motion to adjourn was made by Alderman Robinson, seconded by Alderman McCall. Voice vote, ayes all. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at approximately 6:10 p.m.